Louise Lockwood is a multi-award-winning television documentary maker of over 20 years, whose first feature documentary for cinematic release is Bel. The film chronicles the legacy and talent of late Kenyan-Scottish musician Beldina Odenyo aka Heir of the Cursed who also worked across Scotland’s theatre and poetry communities.
After her acclaimed performance at the Scottish Album of the Year Awards in 2021, Bel took her own life, leaving behind raw, intimate video diaries and a hard drive full of original songs of great beauty. It has also been announced that her album Heir of the Cursed has been longlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year Award with the ceremony taking place in Dundee on 5th November.
The film has so far enjoyed a great audience reception as a Closing Film at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival on 19th August, which also marked the film’s World Premiere. It was followed by a tour of hand-picked cinemas, including week-long runs at Filmhouse in Edinburgh and GFT in Glasgow and this week sees a showing at HOME in Manchester featuring a post-show discussion with director Louise Lockwood and Scottish poet Jackie Kay who was Associate Producer on the project.
This film documents the journey her sister Leah McAleer and friends took to release her work posthumously, creating a heartfelt, insightful portrait of a complex, intelligent and talented young woman.
Produced by award winning producer Sarah Howitt; executive producers John Archer and Nancy Bornat of Hopscotch Films and Mark Thomas of Screen Scotland. Music is composed and arranged by Joe Rattray.
Bel was commissioned for BBC Two, BBC Scotland and iPlayer by Clare Sillery, former Head of Commissioning, BBC Documentaries and BBC Commissioning Editors, David Harron and Emma Loach with Commissioning Executive Shona Thompson.
Bel is supported by Screen Scotland, BBC and National Theatre of Scotland and its producers announce the details for the film’s television broadcast as follows:
9pm on Sunday, 4th October on BBC Scotland and 10pm on Tuesday, 6th October on BBC Four. The film will also be available on the iPlayer on 4th October.
Irene Brown
