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Exhausting as it could be to consider, Highlife, which launches on Channel 4 on the tenth September, would be the UK’s first ever Black British premium actuality TV present. For, when you consider it, the place among the many plethora of Made in Chelseas and Love Islands, have we ever discovered true variety, inclusion or illustration?
The present, created by manufacturing firms CR8TIVE ROW (which has been liable for Stormzy and Cardi B music movies) and Optomen, has been commissioned as a part of Channel 4’s Black to Entrance slot; the broadcaster’s ongoing dedication to anti-racist programming. The present’s director, Daps, sees it as a strong power for illustration.
“There are systemic points which have disabled, or not enabled, sure teams to get key alternatives throughout the business,” he says. “This reality-doc collection combats each these points celebrating a gaggle of younger profitable Black Brits and highlights points this demographic face in an accessible means.” Certainly, as Vivienne Molokwu, who is likely one of the forces behind Black To Entrance mentioned: “This four-part collection represents an thrilling alternative to painting younger Black Britain with no gun or gang in sight.”
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For, because the title suggests, Highlife, will highlight a gaggle of profitable and impressive younger West-African Brits, charting the nuances of their lives and careers. This unapologetic glamour was what drew in cultural advisor and clothier Irene Agbontaen, whose model TTYA is beloved of celebrities from Jourdan Dunn to Karlie Kloss.
“When the producers approached me, I mentioned I would not need to be a part of a present that wasn’t aspirational or inspiring,” she says, “The Black group will get sufficient trauma tv. We want one thing that showcases our joys and successes.”
Although it took some adjustment, Agbontaen quickly started to like the fact of digicam crews following her round every day. “Clearly it is bizarre,” she laughs. “However what I like is that this present offers you the possibility to transcend the one dimensional nature of social media, you get to see because the layers of my character and the laborious work that has gone into my profession. I get to disclose a number of private moments, like me freezing my eggs, which I believe is vital as it’s not proven or spoken about sufficient, particularly within the Black community.”
For Agbontaen, it’s the nuance of the present that appeals; attending to reveal just a little of her mom’s personal life story, coming to the UK from Nigeria within the Nineteen Seventies, and the numerous completely different faces of Black Britain right this moment.
“We discover so many cultural narratives; what it really means to be Black and British within the UK, to be first technology diaspora, to achieve success and pleased,” she says. “Loads of the time on TV, after we see black faces, these are TV exhibits about gang and drug tradition. So I believe for as soon as we had been in a present that is really aspirational, and multi-faceted.”
The present types a part of some programming envisioned within the wake of George Floyd and the resurgence of the BLM motion, however Agbontaen says it’s in sharp aid to the multitudes of tick-box workout routines she has seen sprout up since then. Notable, is its dedication to illustration each behind and in entrance of the cameras.
“There was a dedication to have a full diverse again of home crew as properly, and that is why I needed to be a part of the present, as a result of it wasn’t only a case of ‘Oh, we will see that there is a hole available in the market, let’s make a present,'” she says. “I’ve spoken up loads about performative activism, however it is a long run dedication to Black programming. I am hoping it will likely be profitable and there might be a domino impact with scope for extra exhibits that enable us to inform our tales in a means that’s constructive.”
She is extra excited than nervous about her actuality TV debut, firmly believing this could be a strong watershed second for extra considerate programming. “You understand what I like probably the most?” she smiles. “You get to see black individuals actually proudly owning it. That is so empowering.”
Highlife debuts on Channel 4 on Friday tenth September.
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