We’re back and kicking off with a THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD special episode, with Tolu delving into the film with a nearly spoiler-free review of the fantastic 10-part Amazon Prime series and interviews two of the stars, Emmy-Nominated actress, Thuso Mbedu, and British actor, Aaron Pierre about their thoughts on the show, how they mentally processed working on such a powerful yet brutal story and working with Barry Jenkins.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning  novel  by  Colson  Whitehead, The  Underground  Railroad follows Cora (Thuso  Mbedu)  desperate  bid  for  freedom  in  the  antebellum  South.  After escaping a Georgia plantation for the rumoured Underground Railroad, Cora discovers it’s no metaphor, but an actual railroad full of engineers and conductors, and tunnels beneath the Southern soil. Over the course of her journey, Cora is pursued by a bounty hunter fixated on bringing her back to the plantation she escaped; especially since her mother Mabel is the only runaway he has never caught. 

I tend to stay away from Black pain narratives and stories, however, I was very intrigued by this! With a critically acclaimed book and a visual craftsman, I knew this one wouldn’t be like the rest, and it isn’t! This was a hard watch at times, it’s harrowing, powerful and brutal but was so wonderfully and beautifully made.

5/5 ⠀⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Underground Railroad premieres this Friday 14 May exclusively on Prime Video @primevideouk

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S5 E035 "Underground Railroad Special with Thuso Mbedu & Aaron Pierre"

In this episode, we explore post-apocalyptic tv shows and films available on Netflix, and review LOVE AND MONSTERS and SWEET TOOTH.

Tolu also chats with BAFTA-winning actor Adeel Akhtar about making a show in a pandemic about a pandemic, diversity in the UV TV industry since his historic BAFTA win and his preference to working in the UK than America.

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This episode, and all episodes of the culture Reel is available on most platforms, including #spotify #itunes #spotify #soundcloud #acast #stitcher

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Don't forget, if you like what you hear, please like, share and subscribe.

Thanks for listening.

S4 E036 "Post Apocalyptic Netflix Views and Interview with Adeel Akhtar"

!!! NEW EPISODE ALERT !!!

In our MISS JUNETEENTH special episode, @trakisanya review’s the fantastic film and interviews writer and director Channing Godfrey Peoples. 

Miss Juneteenth, follows single mom, Turquoise Jones (Nicole Beharie), is who is trying to hold down a household, a rebellious teenager, multiple jobs at a funeral home and at Wayman’s BBQ & Lounge, love life with her estranged husband (Kendrick Sampson), her mother and all else that life has to offer. Turquoise is also a former beauty queen, and was once crowned Miss Juneteenth - a title commemorating the day slaves in Texas were freed – two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. However life didn’t quite turn out as beautifully as the title promised, but Turquoise, determined to right her many wrong decisions, tries to get her teenage daughter, Kai (Alexis Chikaeze) to become the next Miss Juneteenth to help her find a way out of the struggle, but Kai wants something else.

Tolu delves into the film a bit more with a nearly spoiler-free review, and she also talks to the film’s writer and director Channing Godfrey Peoples.


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Check out our 🔗 Linktree - linktr.ee/theculturereel - for our #blog reviews or listen to our previous reviews on the #podcast show on #itunes #spotify #soundcloud #acast #stitcher
If you like what you hear, please rate, review and subscribe.

S4 E033 "Miss Juneteenth SPECIAL"

As London Film Festival closes, Tolu looks back at navigating her way through her first virtual film festival and the films she watched (and, sadly, didn’t get round to watching).

In this episode Tolu reviews:

Honeymood ★★★★ 
Mogal Mogli ★★★★ 
Farewell Amor ★★★
and African Apocalypse ★★★

she also interviews British-Nigerian poet and activist Femi Nylander and Producer/Director Rob Lemkin ahead of the UK release of African Apocalypse, to discuss what they discovered during their journey creating the documentary, and exploration of France’s brutal colonisation of Niger, the process of creating this film, the importance of educating and knowledge about Africa’s history and more.

S4 Ep034 “London Film Festival 2020 Reviews (PT1) and African Apocalypse Interviews"

The Culture Reel is a new platform and outlet created to fill the ‘diversity’ gap in film criticism and journalism in the UK.

Hosted by two black British women – a film scholar (@abifilms) and a film enthusiast (@trakisanya), who have a passion for cinema, TV box sets and pop culture and an impressive wealth of film and industry knowledge  – the show offers a new viewpoint and narrative to film reviews and criticism, the industry, and social/current affairs, providing the world a perspective not often heard.

Covering movie reviews from the latest releases and anything relevant in the movie industry, such as trailers, upcoming projects, movies in development, classic/old school must see flicks, themed genre episodes, sprinkled with giggles and some general lighthearted informative and entertaining chit-chat, and a few engaging guests, to discuss the industry and provide practical advice and tips.

Get in touch with us via email or on social media; recommend a film for us to watch/review or send in your thoughts and comments... grab some popcorn and get involved.


**Music: Shaolin Dub - Found

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