MAKING WAVES
PIRATES I Reggie Yates turns feature director for a nostalgic ’90s pirate radio comedy.
It’s a classic coming-of-age story,” Reggie Yates says of Pirates, the TV presenter, actor and documentary-maker’s first feature film as a director. “We’ve all grown up watching those sorts of stories but I’ve just never seen one based in London with a UK garage soundtrack and three young boys of colour.”
Billed as “the world’s shortest road movie”, the comedy follows best mates and aspiring musicians Cappo (Elliot Edusah), Two Tonne (Jordan Peters) and Kidda (Reda Elazouar), who are trying to make a name for themselves on pirate radio. The action takes place on New Year’s Eve 1999 as they take an eventful trip through London in a tiny Peugeot, desperate to get into the ultimate millennium party. Cue heaps of ’90s nostalgia, some banging old-school tracks and colourful cameos from UK garage legends.
“[Cappo is] the grown-up, who doesn’t have any real discernible musical talent,” says Yates. “Then you’ve got Two Tonne, the charismatic DJ, who wants to be a superstar. Kidda can’t stop talking and getting himself into trouble. They’re an amalgamation
of some of the kids I went to school with and some of the people I have been.”
Yates took inspiration from his own life and the multicultural community he was brought up in for the script. The film shows a side to the capital that isn’t often portrayed on the big screen including the Caribbean food shops, barbers and cult record stores. “I was a DJ on pirate radio,” he says. “I grew up in London. London is such a melting pot of cultures. If you’re from London, you’re a Londoner, regardless of what language you speak when you get home and what food you eat.”
The filmmaker started out as an actor with stints on Grange Hill, Doctor Who and as the voice of Rastamouse before moving into writing and directing. But the many years he spent auditioning for the same limited roles available to Black actors have stuck with him. He wanted to explore masculinity and the inner-city experience in a new way.
“This is a group of friends who are silly, who are funny, who love each other and aren’t scared to say it. I think it’s really important to see that joy. For me, I really love the idea that we’ve been able to give three young men of colour, an opportunity to tell a different story.”
Just as Cappo, Two Tonne and Kidda are looking for a good time, that’s exactly what Yates is hoping to provide audiences with. “Pirates is a fun night out. It has fantastic music. For people my age, I’d love them to go see it and reminisce. For teens, I’d love them to see it and see themselves.”
ETA | 26 NOVEMBER / PIRATES OPENS IN CINEMAS NEXT MONTH.