Teaching about race with film: Iggy London’s poetic short Fatherhood

Director Iggy London’s lyrical short film Fatherhood (2017) is an intimate account of the bonds that shape and mis-shape Black men. London takes his viewer on a journey through his own fragmented past – as defined by a dad who “left longer than he stayed” – into a future where his experience has become wisdom.

With its poetic narration, Fatherhood prompts and scaffolds honest discussion around what it calls the “shipwrecked history” of absent fathers, specifically within the Black community. In the UK, lone parent households are often low income households. Statistics show that students from low income households are more likely to struggle with educational attainment, behavioural management and ultimately crime. With 18.9% of Black children being raised by lone parents, the highest figure in the census report, the disadvantage that Black students face is vividly documented, and educators and leaders must be well equipped to confront this. 

Fatherhood begins with a brief, impactful prologue. It is a recording of a conversation between London and a friend, who reflects on the feelings that his childhood experiences have left him with as an adult. His outlook now is far more negative he says, and London responds with a tired sigh of agreement. Many school-aged boys will be able to relate to these feelings of apathy, yet the majority will not yet have developed the toolkit needed to access these feelings in a healthy way.

London’s young son plays in his bed alone as the dialogue continues over his forlorn image. Now, I don’t really care about anyone, the speaker concludes. The message is clear: trauma is cyclical and an individual who has not had positive behaviours and coping strategies modelled to them is less likely to adopt them in adulthood.

Despite the trials he has faced, London is self-aware and reflective, which allows him to draw on his troubled past for inspiration. This is no easy feat, though. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs notes that self actualisation can only take place when all of a child’s material needs have first been met. The reality is that when young boys reach secondary school age, negative emotions are more likely to manifest in behavioural issues than art, with young Black men seemingly being the most vulnerable. In January 2020, it was recorded that Black Caribbean boys were 3.5 times more likely to receive a permanent exclusion, with 7% of all young boys being noted as having a behavioural disorder. Educators have a duty to consider that negative behaviour is often a symptom of an unmet material need, and we must exercise a trauma-informed approach when working to resolve it. 

“I wish you told me where I stood”, London begins in monologue. “I wish you taught me I could stand tall enough to wear those shoes you wore so much.” London speaks candidly of the hurt caused by his father’s absence throughout. While the visual of London and his son wearing matching clothing and synchronised expressions paints a picture of unity, in his narration London continues to call for the attention of his own father: you could have, you could have. The things that he asks of him are strikingly modest and ordinary. Fatherhood is a poignant reminder of the impact that a positive relationship with an authority figure can have on a child’s perception of the world. 

Ultimately, Iggy London’s story is one of redemption. It’s through his sharp reflections that he is able to avert the cycle and carve a deeper bond between himself, his young son and his community. Engaging with Fatherhood in the classroom creates an opportunity for students to consider sensitive topics in a safe and guided environment. Students who can relate to the film’s messages are provided with a creative outlet and an experienced listener.

What’s more, Fatherhood provides an opportunity for teachers to promote good practice by establishing themselves as present and compassionate leaders, building the path for further positive student-teacher interactions. A healthy classroom dynamic is linked to a direct increase in student motivation and in turn, better academic outcomes.

• How did the film Fatherhood make you feel? Why?
• How important are positive role models to children? Why? 
• In what ways might a positive role model impact your life for the better? 
• What is masculinity? 
• What lessons can we take away from this film? How might we integrate these lessons into our everyday lives? 
• What social issues does the film address? 
• How might we help a friend who is feeling unsupported? 

Fatherhood is suitable for English classrooms and facilitates an opportunity to practise key skills such as analysis, evaluation and transactional writing. Fatherhood might be included in a scheme of work with a written outcome, where students could practise close textual analysis of the transcript, establish their own judgement about the film’s effectiveness and finally produce a transactional piece which creatively reviews the text. The resource pack attached to this review provides relevant sample activities. 

Fatherhood might also be included in a PSHE lesson covering diversity and inclusion, masculinity and emotional wellbeing. Fatherhood would be suitable for students 11+. 

The subject matter in this film is sensitive and must be navigated through an anti-racist lens. If you are uncertain about how to raise and manage conversations around any of the issues in this film or others in the series, BFI Education is here to advise and support. Please email mark.reid@bfi.org.uk