One of my favourite films in the last decade is “Lovers Rock” by Steve McQueen. In that film there is a scene where they are dancing at a party to the song “Silly Games”. The dance scene is the whole of the song. It is not only a brave scene to film, but it is so powerful. And the cornerstone of the scene is the song Silly Games by musician and producer, Lover’s Rock legend, Dennis Bovell. I met up with Dennis in a park near Tottenham Stadium. We timed it so we could complete the shoot before the school finishes and hundreds of kids take over the quiet park. Well - that is almost all kids were at school. Two kids did come over and insisted on standing between me and Dennis for a while before their mum finally came and got them to move along.
Dennis - such a chilled guy. He has been all over the world and played music, he’s helped produce many albums and lastly, he’s been the king of Lover’s Rock! I bet he’s probably responsible for many hookups as couples find each other on the dance floor dancing to his smooth tunes.
Such a pleasure to work with Dennis. A man of many tales, but he didn’t brag. Seemingly just an ordinary guy in Tottenham, however, the success he’s experienced is more than many of us could wish for.
Ledge’!
Shot for Observer Magazine
