Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story [+ Q&A]

Pauline Black had a difficult upbringing and joining the 2-Tone music movement in 1979 was the perfect catalyst for her to explore and express all sides of herself. Looking back at her own ground-breaking experience in this feature documentary, Pauline traces ther roots of her legacy and how it is relevant to the world today, especially where society pushes the boundaries of gender, politics, race and identity.

Pauline, of mixed Nigerian and Jewish heritage, was adopted into a white family in Essex in the 1950s. Her upbringing was defined by casual racism from within her own family, but Pauline went on to find her own identity in the Coventry 2-Tone music scene. The Selecter was a reflection of working-class life in Thatcher’s Britain, their music working as social reportage imbued with an ethos of anti-racism and anti-sexism.

This is a visceral documentary mixing intimate actuality, archive and interviews and a storming soundtrack. Contributors include Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson, Don Letts, Skin, Damon Albarn, Rhoda Dakar, Lynval Golding, Mykaell Riley, Sonia Boyce and Jools Holland.

The screening on 28 March will feature a live Q&A with Pauline Black and producer Nikki Parrott, led by Guardian music critic Dave Simpson.

Part of Bradford: A City of Film, a programme of independent film across the Bradford District. Co-Produced by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and National Science and Media Museum with the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery.