ENTERTAINMENT
Meet The Nigerians Behind The Award-winning British’s Produced Film The Black Cop
Film focuses on a Black Gay Metropolitan officer who atones his past
Cherish Oteka, a documentary filmmaker and Gamal Turawa, an ex-metropolitan police officer, are the two Nigerians behind the award-winning The Black Cop, recently nominated for 2022 BAFTA award in the best British Short film category.
While Cherish Oteka produced and directed the docu-drama THE BLACK COP, Gamal Turawa, is the man behind the story.
The insightful film which has just been nominated for a 2022 BAFTA in the Best British Short Category, tells a story of a UK’s first openly Gay Black Metropolitan police officer (who has now retired), admitting to racially profiling and harassing Black people in his early career in a quest to find acceptance in the force.
According to the film’s publicist, Shelly Diafuana, the former police officer relives his experience of being both a victim and a perpetrator of racism in the British police force.
Using archive and dramatic reconstruction to illustrate his story, Gamal takes viewers on a journey through his childhood and professional development as he grapples with issues of racial and sexual identity and acceptance.
An elated Cherish Oteka, speaking about the feat said; “It is a huge honour to have this important and nuanced story recognised by BAFTA. My work aims to provide a platform for often-marginalised communities to tell their stories on their terms. I have made documentaries that explore identity, discrimination, and institutional bias, but never through the lens of someone who,sits on all sides of the conversation.
“In one person and one story we present a villain, victim, and hero and begin to understand the potential that we all have in being any one of these, even all three. It has been heart-warming to see The Black Cop connecting with audiences in this way.”
Cherish Oteka
Director and producer Cherish Oteka, is a Black, queer and trans award -winning documentary filmmaker whose work often spotlights unique perspectives and untold stories.
Their films include A MAN CALLED DAD, a film celebrating Black fathers and BAME VOICES, short documentaries giving voice to people who sit at the intersection of Blackness and queerness and most recently, TOO GAY FOR GOD?
Oteka, who has been recognised as Edinburgh Television Festival’s Ones to Watch and has won many awards including UKTV’s Rising Star Award, aims to challenge false narratives and provide a platform for often-marginalised communities to tell their stories on their terms.
Producer Emma Cooper is responsible for two notable Netflix documentaries; BIKRAM and THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MADELINE MCCANN. Having previously held the position of Commissioning Editor in Documentaries at Channel 4, her titles include TATTOOS, THE JIHADI NEXT DOOR and I AM BRADY: ENDGAMES OF A PSYCHOPATH. Prior to Channel 4, Emma directed and produced films for the BBC including LOUIS THEROUX: A PLACE FOR PAEDOPHILES, MIAMI MEGA-JAIL and AMERICA’S MOST HATED FAMILY.
Gamal “G” Turawa is a former police officer from the Metropolitan Police who for 14 of his 25 year decorated career, he delivered training programmes on Diversity, Inclusion and Personal Development. He became the UK’s first openly Gay, Black police officer. G retired from the Police force in 2018.
Gamal “G” Turawa is a former met police officer
The enchanting cinematography was provided by Damien Paul Daniels.
THE BLACK COP is available to watch on The Guardian website: https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2022/jan/19/the-black-cop-a-police-officers-story-of-racism-remorse-and-resistance-documentary
Continue Reading
FEATURED5 hours ago
President Erdogan Announces $50bn Trade Volume Target With Nigeria
FEATURED16 hours ago
President Tinubu Considers Anioma State as the Only New State in Nigeria’s South-East
FEATURED17 hours ago
Nigerian Army Rescues 11 Victims After 92 Days in Kidnappers’ Dens, Foils Terrorist Escape
FEATURED17 hours ago
Nigeria’s Military Sets to Court-Martial 16 Officers Over Alleged Coup Plot
FEATURED1 day ago
How Nigerian Soldiers Disrupted Illicit Drug Supply Network in North East
FEATURED1 day ago
APC Speaks on Tinubu’s Replacing Vice President Shettima as 2027 Presidential Running Mate
FEATURED1 day ago
Tinubu and Top Nigeria Officials Depart Aso Villa for State Visit to Türkiye
FEATURED2 days ago
BREAKING: Court Awards N210M Against Airtel in Favour of Veteran Songstress of 1985 hit Song, “Nigeria Go Survive”
FEATURED2 days ago
Dozens of Terrorists Killed as Nigerian Troops Bomb Sambisa and Mandara Mountains
FEATURED2 days ago
Nigeria’s External Reserves Hit $46bn, Eight-Year High – Presidency
OPINION3 days ago
CONCERNS MOUNT OVER FAMILIAL POLITICAL CONCENTRATION IN DELTA NORTH ELECTIONS, BY CHIDI CHUKWUTEM
FEATURED3 days ago
Nigeria Police to Receive Specialized U.S. Training, Modern Operational Equipment as IGP Meets INL Officials
FEATURED3 days ago
Group Urges Olu of Warri to Expand Employments at PINL to Forge Inter-ethnic Unity Like Tompolo, Otuaro
COMMUNITY REPORT3 days ago
Varsity Don Binebai Urges Unity, Peaceful Coexistence Among Ethnic Tribes for Progress in Warri
FEATURED4 days ago