Horace Ové
Sir Horace Shango Ové CBE (born Horace Courtenay Jones; 3 December 1936 – 16 September 2023) was a Trinidadian-born British filmmaker, photographer, painter and writer based in London, England. One of the leading black independent filmmakers to emerge in Britain in the post-war period, Ové was the first black British filmmaker to direct a feature-length film, Pressure (1976). In its retrospective documentary 100 Years of Cinema, the British Film Institute (BFI) declared: "Horace Ové is undoubtedly a pioneer in Black British history and his work provides a perspective on the Black experience in Britain."
Sir Horace Ové CBE | |
---|---|
Born | Horace Courtenay Jones 3 December 1936 |
Died | 16 September 2023 86) London, England | (aged
Occupations |
|
Known for | First black British filmmaker to direct a feature-length film |
Notable work | Pressure (1976) |
Children | 5, including Indra and Zak |
Family | Stefan Kalipha (cousin) |
Awards | Knight Bachelor (2022) |
Website | www |
Ové built a prolific and sometimes controversial career as a filmmaker, documenting racism and the Black Power movement in Britain over many decades through photography and in films such as Baldwin's Nigger (1968), Pressure, and Dream to Change the World (2003). Ové's documentaries, including Reggae (1971) and Skateboard Kings (1978), have also become models for emerging filmmakers. He was awarded a knighthood in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to media.