Babylon

Franco Rosso's incendiary Babylon had its world premiere at Cannes in 1980 but went unreleased in the US on account of “being too controversial, and likely to incite racial tension" (Time Out). Raw and smoldering, it follows a young dancehall DJ in South London as he pursues his musical ambitions, battling fiercely against the racism and xenophobia of employers, neighbors, police, and the National Front. Set to a blistering reggae and “lovers rock” soundtrack, Babylon is a fearless and unsentimental film, simultaneously tempered by the hazy bliss of the dancehall.