The Homecoming. A short film about Ajamu - ACE418.2

Man in the bath; calls to Ajamu to wake up. Ajamu introduces himself and says he’s going to Huddersfield for his first one-man photographic show. His friend helps him out of bed and to dress. Photographs of male hands and feet. Ajamu rushing around looking for train ticket. Ajamu to camera about going back to Huddersfield. Leaving the house. Talks about meeting Michael Cadette and about the First National Black Gay Men’s Conference, October 1987. Kobena Mercer VO talking about Ajamu’s work as a black gay photographer, "exploring black gay sexuality in all its complexity". Photographs. Stuart Hall describes the "tensions" in Ajamu’s work, expectations of black masculinity "cross-cut by feminine gentleness". Ajamu going to Cadette’s, VO discussing talking about black men’s sexuality in "a public arena". He describes the area of Brixton where he is as being crucial to black and gay culture, a former home of C. L. R. James, the offices of Race Today, the home of the Brixton Fairies Collective, etc. Photographs. Street scenes. Hall VO talking about fantasy, in particular a photograph of Ajamu in a white wedding-dress. Photograph of C. J. Mercer, VO over film of two black men making similar "finger" gesture and Ajamu running to catch an Underground train, says Ajamu’s work starts from the perspective of diversity of black gay male identities and is thus as challenging to black gay men as to anyone else. Ajamu delayed by Underground problems; his VO says he needs to go back home.