Arts University Bournemouth has provided £1,200 of match funding
All My Blues
Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom
Aim: T’s Jazz Palace, 1974, to the crowd, Terrell Simmons is a man of radiant charm and magnetic confidence, but to his son, he is the opposite.
T’s Jazz Palace, 1974, Terrell Simmons to the crowd is a man of radiant charm and magnetic confidence, but to his son, he is a selfish, arrogant man who only cares about his bar and his image. Daniel on the other hand, only cares about the music and aspires to be a successful musician, but his father who never fully pursued music, tries everything he can to squash that dream. This causes their relationship to reach a breaking point, Daniel has had enough and decides to leave and go live with his mum.
20 Years pass and Terrell has lost everything, his bar, his status and his son. Daniel, however, has become a successful musician and now owns the bar his father once did. Now, Terrell after losing everything tries to gain a piece of it back, attempting to reconnect with his son, however, Daniel won’t simply forget everything his father did to him.
All My Blues is a period-drama that explores themes of black masculinity, the external pressures placed on black boys from an early age to adhere to a specific image, and the work that must be done to break that down. Set in 70s and 90s London, we watch as two versions of these same characters develop, within themselves and in their relationship with one another. The jazz bar this story takes place in is used to represent both of these characters. In the 70s, when Terrell owns the bar, it's a flashy, bustling jazz club with customers who wear outfits for show rather than comfort. Everything and everyone seems to be trying to impress something else. The lights are warm and the atmosphere is hot, this all representing the way Terrell carries himself, arrogant but insecure, he uses the bar to hide who he is and portray a false image of himself. In contrast, in the 90s when Daniel owns the bar, its cooler and calmer. This space feels more true to who Daniel is, someone who only cares about the music and nothing else. He has nothing to hide, nothing to show off, he unlike his father is confident in his ability to perform.
Throughout the film, we flash back and forth between these two spaces, constantly contrasting each other and revealing elements about one another too. The building blocks of Daniels bright future are shown to be fragments of his dark past, having to cope with the looming presence of his father constantly over him. These two timelines blend into each other as the film progresses, once Terrell finally begins to connect with the things he loves most, the music and his son. Daniel's blues powered him forward and the music carries us with him, reaching a point where we can just sit and enjoy the music, his relationship with his father may not be healed, and he may not forgive him, but at least Terrell can finally enjoy the music.
All My Blues tackles the toxic building blocks of what we view as black masculinity and the way it shows itself in contemporary society, with young black boys particularly having to take on this specific image. This film serves to highlight that toxic cycle which is prevalent even today, and it comments on the negative impacts it has on the development of young, black men. Our aim is to bring awareness to this and in the final act of the film, we want to raise hope for black futures where the cycle of abuse and expectations can be broken.
For this project, we will be creating a set build for T's Jazz Palace: The place where young Daniel is subject to abuse, and where he grows in adulthood and forges his own identity removed from his fathers expectations. The Jazz Bar is integral to the story and is a character within its own right, lively with a crowded audience and breathing with the music that tells a story within the story. Costume is also integral to the film as we want to honour iconic black 70s fashion for our characters: From vibrant suits and dresses to cultural hairstyles and accessories.
We want this film to fully encapsulate the flashiness of black communities in 70s London, this is important as not many films are made where black people specifically from the UK can be at the front and centre in all their glamour and glory, now we have the opportunity to bring that to life and your help can make that happen.
"My name is Ben and I am the Writer and Director of All My Blues.
Growing up I never felt like I could adhere to the image of what was supposed to be black masculinity, over the years and through my own experience as a black man, I began to understand why this image was perpetuated in black families. Our world is unfortunately still so unforgiving to young black boys, in turn, creating the toxic cycles of abuse these boys experience, often seen as a way of preparing them for a world more cruel than the one they live in at home
All My Blues aims to tackle this toxic image that is entrenched in black families while using the music commonly passed down within them as a bridge to reconnect a severed relationship between father and son, one that has been damaged by this cycle of abuse.
Music has always been a part of my life, and I am grateful now that I have a chance to create a film that is so deeply rooted within it, using Jazz to narrate our story, flowing from past to present.
As a black filmmaker, I am excited to help tell this story, one many black families have lived, and work with talented black musicians to bring this narrative to life."
Favourite Jazz Song: It Never Entered My Mind - Miles Davis
"I've loved All My Blues since its infant stage when the writer/director Ben first reached out to me with the concept - back when it was no more than an idea. Whilst it has come a long way since then, the heart of the story has remained absolute: Toxic familial relationships and the difficult expectations that come with blackness.
As a budding black filmmaker and producer, minority voices and stories being represented are extremely important to me, and All My Blues is a beautiful, strong story that portrays black masculinity in a light that is often mispresented in popular media.
The story that we travel through with Terrell and his estranged son, Daniel, is a bittersweet one laced with both tragedy and tough love - but most importantly it highlights the significance and impact of the unseen pressures on young black men in and it's affect on their later life.
I am equal parts proud and elated to be producing and 1st Assistant Director on this project, and it is my sole mission to give this brilliant story the life it deserves."
Favourite Jazz song: I'd Rather Go Blind - Etta James
"Hiya! My name is Eliza and I’m the DOP for the wonderful “All My Blues”
I am beyond excited to begin the cinematic journey that is this 1970s set film, delving into the intimate dynamics of father-son relationships. It’s an opportunity to blur temporal boundaries, connecting the past and the present through the lens, achieving a visually stunning exploration of the human connection across generations. By employing unconventional and experimental camera movements and lighting techniques, my hope is to evoke a sense of timelessness, making the audience resonate with the deep emotions expressed by both characters.
By collaborating with the director and the rest of the lovely lovely crew, I am confident that our shared dedication to storytelling will result in a evident collective effort that elevates this project to new heights, and I am just so eager to get started!"
Favourite Jazz Song: Lotus 72 D, by Zé Roberto
"With the experimental elements of the lighting in our film, it is of upmost importance to have a crew which is knowledgeable and capable. It is for this reason that I am ecstatic to be working with Eliza and Ben to help create a stunning visual atmosphere. As a gaffer, the opportunity to help light a film set across different time periods instantly drew me to this project. In addition to this, the creative potential, themes of family, relationships and love make this story one that I think many people will be able to relate to in one way or another."
Favourite Jazz Song: Manha de Carnival by Stan Getz
"Hi, I’m Marcus Gerrard, the production designer for All My Blues.
I’ve been intrigued by the project since the first pitch, captivated by the tense dynamic between the father and son characters. As a production designer, I was thrilled by the task of designing the jazz bar where the story of the film unfolds, In particular creating a set that can successfully shift between the 1970’s high point of the club’s history ,and its dreary present-day setting. As a lover of music, and jazz in particular, having the opportunity to work on a film with this at its core only adds to my drive to help deliver a beautiful and thought-provoking film, by working alongside a team of talented and enthusiastic film makers. I can’t wait to see where the potential of this film and its crew takes us."
Favourite Jazz Song: ‘In A Sentimental Mood’ By Duke Ellington and John Coltrane
"This film is about music, love and family. Themes so important to not just my life but everybody’s. It is a story that needs to be told and as an editor, it’s non-linear narrative gives an even more exciting challenge - a style of filmmaking I have wanted to explore for a long time."
Favourite Jazz Song: Bra - Cymande
"When first reading the script, All My Blues struck me as a creative project with important messages of societal pressures and family over two different time periods. As an editor, I was instantly drawn to how the film jumps between these time periods and how time is exploited throughout the story. It poses a great storytelling challenge that I am ready to jump in to.
Having worked with Ben before we have a good working relationship were with each other to achieve the best possible outcome for the story. I’m also looking forward to having Fraser alongside me in the edit room also means we can get the best out of the edit.
Working with everyone, I am going to try my hardest to make All My Blues the best it can possibly be and I can’t wait to get started. "
Favourite Jazz song: Milestones by Miles Davis
"To me, jazz music is very important to my identity. As musician, I see jazz as the most expressive form of music. The soul of the music lives through script. I'm very proud to be the sound recordist on this film, with the opportunity to work with music and capture the subject matter through sound."
Favourite Jazz Song: So what? Miles Davies
"I’m Emmy and I’m one of the costume designers for All My Blues. Jazz has always been apart of my life- from my father playing it loudly in the car on the way to school to joining my school’s jazz band- so I was really excited to explore the fashion of the 70s jazz scene. However, what drew me most to All My Blues was the complex relationship between Terrell and Daniel and how it morphed over time. "
My favourite jazz song is Feeling Good by Nina Simone.
“I love the overall design of this film and I’m excited to develop the historical style and setting through the costumes. But I think the thing that attracts me to this film the most is the characters, and the complex relationships that are explored through the story. I think that costume should act as a visual aid in our understanding of these characters, and I’m looking forward to being involved in their creation."
Favourite Jazz song: I'd Rather Go Blind - Etta James