REVIEW: ‘White Riot’ depicts British rockers standing up against racism
Photo courtesy of Film Movement / Provided by Foundry Comm with permission.
White Riot, the new documentary by Rubika Shah, takes a historical look at how British punk rockers and other musicians took a stand against racism during a time when the United Kingdom was facing the ascendancy of the National Front, a far-right political party. After some of this hatred spilled out into the streets, with violent attacks and prejudiced screeds, many bands decided to pool their talents and combat the movement with protests and concerts around the nation, including one legendary gig in a London park.
Much of the energy behind this anti-racism movement came from an initiative called Rock Against Racism, dubbed RAR, and they found partners in some of the best musical acts of the late-1970s, including the Clash, Steel Pulse, Tom Robinson and others.
Shah’s documentary couples historic footage of the protests and the culminating concert with modern-day interviews of the organizers who brought this movement to life. Prominent among the voices is photographer Red Saunders.
With the continued rise of far-right movements around the world, White Riot stands as both a history lesson and cautionary tale. Its depictions of hurtfulness, close-mindedness and xenophobia are not encased in amber, to be looked at from afar. These messages, these issues, these struggles are meant to be lessons that frame modern-day society, which still buckles under the weight of racism, prejudice and bias.
There’s also no denying that Shah’s film is an important snapshot of the late-1970s punk scene in London. Seeing some of these legendary bands on stage, jumping around, banging their heads and singing socially-conscious lyrics is worth the price of admission. The fact that audiences also receive an important lesson on how the rock community came together for a social justice cause makes the documentary doubly important.
The documentary showcases the smooth rhythms of rock-reggae band Steel Pulse, the palpable energy of the Clash (whose song provides the film its title), and other musicians who wanted to do more with their sound and words.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
White Riot (2019). Directed by Rubika Shah. Written by Ed Gibbs and Shah. Running time: 84 minutes. Currently available on DVD from Film Movement. Rating: 
