Failed By The State - The Struggle In the Shadow Of Grenfell

Failed By The State - The Struggle In the Shadow Of Grenfell

A double-bill screening short films by Ladbroke Grove residents to the backdrop of Grenfell. Firstly, "Dagger" by Tommy Evans and Matt Robinson - a reworking of Shakespeare's Macbeth addressing knife crime followed by the main feature, Daniel Renwick's "Failed By The State - The Struggle In the Shadow Of Grenfell." Accompanied by director Q&A for both films and a couple of spoken word performances.

About Tommy Evans:

Hailing from a family of artists and architects, innovation, imagination and industry are embedded in Tommy Evans's DNA. In his decade long career as a pioneering musician, he appeared on over forty releases; managed a record label; collaborated with multi-platinum and underground artists alike (Neneh Cherry, Martina Topley-Bird, Stereo MCs, Nightmares On Wax, Andreya Triana, Plan B, Kano and Doc Brown to name a few); featured on Radio 1, MTV, Soccer AM and "Kidulthood"; supported and performed with artists like De La Soul, Common, Corinne Bailey-Rae and the godfather of hip hop, DJ Kool Herc. He even counted Rio Ferdinand and Kylie (Minogue, not Jenner) as fans and had his voice sampled (more than once) by the late, great J Dilla!

Presently, Tommy delivers dynamic spoken word performances in the UK and beyond gracing the stage at The Elysses Montmarte, The Jazz Café, indigo at The O2 and Cambridge University. He headlined three UK tours in 2016 and smashed 50+ shows in 2017.

Tommy has performed alongside, recorded and worked with the likes of YouTube phenomenon Suli Breaks, slam champ Deanna Rodger, rising star Tommy Sissons, Lionheart, UKHH stalwarts Genesis Elijah and Lowkey as well as Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry acts Shihan Van Clief and Amir Sulaiman. Tommy's artistic output has been co-signed by rap legends No Malice (Clipse), Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Necro and Easy Mo Bee (producer of 2Pac & Notorious B.I.G.); soul icons Andrez Harriott (Damage) and Natalie Stewart (Floetry), comedian Humza Arshad (Badman) and vocalist/actor Quincy (son of Diddy).

Tommy celebrates the social, cultural and aesthetic interplay of Black and European culture as a writer for afropean.com, interviewing the likes of Young Laureate for London, Caleb Femi. He's had half a dozen poems published with a new piece in Magma Poetry journal as well as being nominated in the Outspoken London Prize for Poetry 2017. Tommy acts, writes screenplays, directs, designs, edits, models, photographs and is preparing his debut poetry collection ("Medusa Wore A Weave") for publication. Tommy runs workshops including contributing to an innovative art therapy project for Grenfell survivors featured on BBC News, in The Guardian, and winning royal approval from Princes William and Harry. He also recently completed his PhD thesis exploring the faith educational arena in which migration, minorities and markets intersect.