THE TALK

The Talk  is an hour-long thought-provoking new documentary that reveals a part of British life that is little known about outside the black community. 'The Talk’ in the black community is to prepare children for the reality of living in a society where their skin colour marks them out for a lifetime of challenges white people may not understand.

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The first talk normally happens around age 4-7 and marks the day a child loses their innocence. Parents have to explain that, because of the colour of their skin, some people think they are less worthy of respect. Children are taught what to expect and how to react; advice based on experiences suffered by family, friends and neighbours.

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Interviewees include Maro Itoje, Lenny James, Gillian Joseph, Tinie Tempah, Gary Younge, Emeli Sande, Marvin and Rochelle Humes, Ashley and Jordan Banjo, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Ade Adepitan. They all  share memories of the talk(s) they’ve given or received, contextualised by family archive or an event that triggered the talk such as a prominent death in police custody.

Watch the full episode: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-talk

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Broadcast Awards 2021 Highly Commended 

Best Documentary Programme

Best Lockdown Programme News, Documentaries and Factual  

Director Geoff Small
Exec Producers  Maxine Watson, Pat Younge, Sunil Patel 

Whisper TV and Cardiff Productions
Channel 4 60 mins 2020

Photos Ian Watts