Representation of South West London through 'South West 9' (2001)

                                                                     South West 9 Full Film

South West 9 is a 2001 British film about five very different characters. It takes place 24 hours before a shooting at a Brixton rave that one of the characters has set up. It combines themes of drugs, race, class, religion, and music in the multicultural part of South West London. In a way it can be seen to be similar to the film Kidulthood, with multiple ethnicity's and in a way a similar story line but not exact.

Brixton is typically known for its drug use, which is represented within this film. The film shows the selling of drugs and people taking drugs. Films and TV programmes usually show drug use, and it is not always in the negative light we would expect or in a way that will show the long-term effects of using it. Just like this one, it seems the norm to be selling drugs, growing them and taking them. They do however show the consequence of taking LSD and it turning bad for one of the characters, which is showing they are actually trying to give off that drugs are not the fun you think they are. This film just shows London to have drug raided areas. It is showing the way drug use was in South West London around the time this film has arose. To be honest I don't think much has changed if anything it has got worse. With more dealers and younger kids taking drugs.

This film picks up on the different multicultural people living in and around this area, in particular the image of intercultural mixing and circulation. This area is of London is known and described as unique for its diversity of characters. The film portrays this with the characters that are in it, using different races, cultures and people from other areas of England other than London, it shows how identity is also tied into this area. Throughout the film the characters don't appear to get on much transport and not a lot is featured within the film it gives the area a feel of isolation that it is cut off from the rest of London.

Brixton is one go those places you would expect chaos to go on in any one day, which is why the choice for the film to be film here was spot on, all locations in the film never left Brixton, which ties together the representation that this film gives; diversity and cultural within this area of London. 

                     Chloe O'Brien

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