Wake - Up (2021)

'School is over and the summer lies casually ahead for 16 year old JR (Kai Francis-Lewis) and Jordan (Niyi Akin). Their care free plans of shooting breeze, playing hoop and finding some sweet 'tings' is abruptly interrupted by the pressures of life, provoking them both to make choices that could change their friendship and potentially their futures forever...' Written by 8 young men in an HMYOI (Young Offenders Institution)'Wake - Up' was inspired by a series of honest discussions, mentoring and creative workshops alongside their mentor Nathalie Pownall. The film project was a creative outlet to re-write the narrative of what it means to be a young man in prison and to provide a platform for these men's voices to be heard beyond the prison walls. In response to what is happening in their cities, the men weaved their prose, spoken word and dialogue together to tell their story with humility and vulnerability and to ask you the audience "What would you do if you were in my shoes as you currently stand in yours?" The project was pioneered by Nathalie, supported by Applecart Arts and funded by the Mayor of London.