UNCLE have partnered with the creative minds behind US-MAN-DERE in conjunction with their film REBIRTH – a critical moment in Black British History. The collective themselves are a community rooted assortment of filmmakers that through their shared history have developed their creative crafts, leading to this moment. Their dedication to uplifting local voices and fostering community involvement has made REBIRTH not only a cinematic achievement but also a testament to the power of collaboration and shared cultural experience. We ran a flyposting campaign across London, culminating in an activation at our Brick Lane Bridge megasite in which the collective passed out free lilies as a symbol of unity.
REBIRTH is more than just a film; it’s a poignant exploration of loss and the process of healing. UMD have crafted a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally relatable, an allegorically driven piece that is sure to touch many through shared experiences. Set against the backdrop of London’s ever-changing landscape, the film captures the essence of a community grappling with the forces of gentrification, displacement, and the enduring spirit of its people. Through richly layered storytelling and powerful imagery, REBIRTH invites audiences to reflect on the ways in which history, memory, and place intertwine.
As you read on to UNCLE’s interview, you’ll discover the intricate process behind the making of REBIRTH, from assembling a dedicated team of creators to the innovative methods they used to fund and promote the film. They go on to divulge their inspirations, the challenges faced along the way, and the profound impact they hope REBIRTH will have on audiences, especially those who share the streets and stories depicted on screen.
TELL US ABOUT THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE FILM?
With REBIRTH we wanted to not just explore a pivotal moment in Black British history but also examine how people that have been ravaged by grief, bring themselves back together again. Through inspiration from renaissance art and our own directorial styles, we wanted to build something powerfully allegorical of the real world conditions that shape our lives and our work in turn.
HOW DID YOU BRING TOGETHER THE TEAM OF CREATORS YOU DID?
We all know it takes a village and REBIRTH was no different. A film production’s all about people power and fortunately we’ve had the pleasure to collaborate with talented creatives along the long journey of making our film. For example, our Cinematographer Charlie Knight we’d worked with previously on another project. Alternatively, we also looked to reach out into our local community in Newham and find young aspiring filmmakers that were keen on shadowing and supporting our work on set and throughout post-production. As UMD it’s always important to make great work, but it’s just as vital to make an impact and open doors for our younger selves.
Aside from the crew we also relied on friends and family who were keen to help us make the concept a reality. We want community to be a key part of what we do here at U.M.D, and that was the case on this film. We spoke to local businesses about getting involved and thought of using local locations that we grew up in.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE CAN TAKE AWAY FROM THE FILM ITSELF?
Given that the sights and scenes in the film are intentionally reminiscent of our childhood neighbourhoods and the disappearing high streets, we aimed to build “REBIRTH” as a dramatic recollection of the past. Our goal is to create something that resonates with audiences, sparking conversations about where grief and loss lead us. Especially where struggling communities begin to face pressure from all sides.
HOW HAS THE FILM BEEN SUPPORTED BY OTHER VENTURES?
5 years in the making “REBIRTH” has been a labour of love, blood sweat and tears. From applying to numerous grants to no avail, until November 2022 when we received our first yes courtesy of Westfield East Bank Foundations for Future London. From this moment, knowing someone believed in us, the tides shifted, and we knew we had to manifest our grand vision in any way possible.
Thinking outside the box we reached out to our community and hosted a fundraising soiree at Peckham Levels to grow our shoestring budget; drawing in a crowd of 350 people who each indirectly became partial investors in our film REBIRTH enriching its community essence.
As the momentum grew, opportunities to raise capital through sidequest ventures and support in kind came in clutch; we were commissioned by Hive Curates x Alice Billings Connect a community-focused initiative, who enable underrepresented creatives with affordable studio spaces and place-making opportunities to create a documentary called “Beyond The Market” about Market Village in Stratford Market to preserve its legacy and heritage in a fast redeveloping neighbourhood (interesting fact it actually almost closed down this earlier year but thanks to the spirit of the community and its importance to the local economy it was saved). Later on, to premier the documentary Hive Curates offered an opportunity for us to also screen REBIRTH to a private audience.
In tandem with the documentary A Good Growth Hub x A New Direction in partnership with LIFT commissioned us to produce a 10 episode video series – Local Insiders: Digital Jobs – the purpose was to offer insights into the landscape of some of the careers in the sector of digital technology spotlighting the necessity of the local community to provide access to continued learning, employment, and networking opportunities.
Additionally, in the making of REBIRTH we endeavoured to give back to the community by engaging with local businesses and utilising locations from areas where our director grew up, embedding the film deeply in the fabric of our community. From a local NGO the Spring Garden Cafe and community allotment in Newham providing food for our shoot days – fostering sustainability and local engagement. These partnerships and choices were key to making this production a communal venture in and of itself.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN A FLYPOSTING CAMPAIGN?
We wanted to maximise the reach of this important story and the spirit of REBIRTH, but also put ourselves out there as USMANDERE. As it is written on a number of posters, we are here to bring life to culture, and we endeavour to bring the wider community of London and its host of like-minded creatives along with us on that mission. Our aim was to flood the streets and alert the city that REBIRTH and UMD are officially here, for all to witness.
HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL ELEVATE THE CAMPAIGN?
By bringing the Block Party Scene to life, coming together as crew and reimagining our celebration scene in the film. Giving out free lilies to the public that are walking past and capturing the reaction to that intimate moment.
HOW IS THE FILM TIED TO LONDON?
We came to shoot most of the film in the city where we live to build on that spirit of community and collaborating with the people that we already share our lives with. That’s why when our audiences press play they’ll be seeing Bedrooms that members of our crew literally grew up in, streets that cast members played out in. In the way that the DNA is a part of us it naturally became a part of REBIRTH and its production.
WHY HAVE YOU BEEN SO EAGER FOR IT TO RESONATE WITH PEOPLE IN THE CITY?
Because we share the same streets, experiences, and dreams, it made sense to ground our film in community. We aim to spark meaningful conversations about identity, grief, and growth, making it a story that truly belongs to all of us and part of a shared discussion of what we experienced, not just on that day, but on the many days throughout Black British History when grief suddenly arrives, and resilience rises up from within.
