Farming (2019)
Dir. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje / Dur. 102 mins
In A Nutshell:- A young Nigerian boy fostered by a white family in Essex falls in with a skinhead gang to escape their abuse and his own identity.
The Good:- It’s powerful stuff - based on Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s own past, the title refers to a practice that I certainly didn't know about. “Farming” is the unofficial name given to the practice which became common amongst Nigerian and other West African families from the late 60s onwards in which parents studying and working in England would give their children over to white families to be fostered. The main character, Eni, is left with white foster parents from 2 weeks old to the age of 8, returns to Nigeria where he doesn’t fit in, is brought back to his English foster parents and, not fitting in anywhere and denying his own race and heritage, falls in with a group of skinheads who abuse and tolerate him as a “pet”. It’s uncomfortable viewing but holds your attention throughout largely thanks to two captivating main performances - Zephan Hanson Amissah as 8 year old Eni and Damson Idris as the 16 year old Eni. Both absolutely nail their performances and are never less than compelling to watch. The rest of the cast acquit themselves well too but this film really belongs to the both of them.
The Bad:- The film was workshopped over a number of years as part of an initiative through the Sundance Film Festival and there are one of two scenes as well as the initial cold open that feel a little too “Hollywood” in feel and dialogue. This is a minor niggle though and doesn’t detract from the film as a whole.
The Verdict:- It’s an affecting and difficult story, carried off admirably by two great central performances, and a strong debut for a first time director. It’s not an easy watch in places but it is a film that’s worth your time.
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