Cult '80s film, Babylon, reissued

Cult '80s Brit flick, Babylon comes to DVD for the first time ever in the UK this October. Fully restored and remastered image and audio plus loads of extras in the shape of commentaries and interviews, this looks to be a deluxe remaster worth spending your hard earneds on. But what is it about?

Babylon, directed by Franco Rosso (Dread Beat an' Blood), co-written by Martin Stellman (Quadrophenia) is a raw 'n' real film which mixes music and social commentary to recount the experiences of a small group of working class black kids living in South London in the early '80s.

Mechanic and part-time sound system ‘toaster' Blue (Brinsley Forde) and his Ital Lion crew are looking forward to their forthcoming reggae sound clash competition with rival outfit Jah Shaka. However, as the event approaches, Blue's personal life begins to unravel. First he's fired from his job by his racist boss (played by Mel Smith) and then he begins to suspect his girlfriend is cheating on him.

Race again plays a hand which see Blue chased, brutally beaten and arrested by a group of plain-clothes policemen. The result? Ital Lion's lock-up garage is stormed and their soundsystem is destroyed. Angered and alienated, Blue is compelled to respond by fighting fire with fire.

Like all good cult-flicks, Babylon has a killer soundtrack, starring Dennis Bovell, Yabby U, I-Roy and Aswad. There will be a special screening of the newly restored film at the National Film Theatre on 11th September 2008. Babylon will be released on DVD (£19.99) by Icon Home Entertainment on 13th October 2008.