Rocks (2019) is an honest and gritty celebration of sisterhood and the power of teenage girls. The movie came to be when writer Theresa Ikoko wanted to create a movie for her sister. Ikoko teamed up with Claire Wilson and they began scouting for a female cast and crew. The team workshopped the film for almost a year to ensure that they could find the perfect cast for a movie about girls growing up in London. They boast a rare 75% female crew, which is reflected in the completely authentic way in which young women are given a voice which they have never really been given on the big screen before. The cast collaborated in the writing process to produce realistic and meaningful performances, most of which had never even acted before!

 

Rocks is a coming of age drama film about a British-Nigerian teenager called Olushola, nicknamed “Rocks,” growing up in East London-- played by newcomer Bukky Bakray. The movie begins when Rocks’ mother suddenly abandons her with her younger brother, Emmanuel, leaving a note and small amount of cash. This launches Rocks into a crisis as she tries to balance school, friendships, and taking care of her brother, all while social services try to contact her at every corner.

 

One particular scene I love is the opening scene, whereby a diverse group of girls hang out on their estate, dreaming of their non-existent boyfriends taking them to the Shard (a London skyscraper) even though it’s only a stone’s throw away. So close yet so far. But don’t worry, the movie doesn’t wallow in sadness for the girls the whole run-time. It makes sure to showcase Rocks’ day to day life with her all-girl group. Moments of dance, laughter and food fights make the movie feel like a warm hug, particularly to those who can relate to the characters. I personally felt a strange sense of pride watching the film;, yes it has it’s depressing moments, however seeing girls I could visualise in my own school was a rare sight.

 

The film sheds a light on a side of Britain rarely portrayed in cinema. Although it is an emotional story, at its core, Rocks is an empowering tale of female friendships and girlhood. The talented crew includes female director, Sarah Gavron, female cinematographer, Hélène Louvart, female editor, Maya Maffoli, and female producers, Ameenah Ayub and Faye Ward. However, these are only a few of the amazing women behind the movie. If you’re interested in supporting women, especially women of colour, in the film industry, then watching this movie is a great way to do so! Although, American viewers may need subtitles for the strong East-Londoner accents.