Tariq Ali has raised concerns that the British Film Institute (BFI) has excluded him from an upcoming season dedicated to multicultural television, suggesting that the portrayal of the iconic series he helped create is being misrepresented.
Ali, a key figure in the creative team behind the innovative Channel 4 program, Bandung File, which aired in the 1980s, expressed his dismay at not being invited to participate in the BFI’s new season titled "Constructed, Told, Spoken: A Counter-History of Britain on TV." This event, scheduled for March, includes a special evening featuring episodes of Bandung File.
In his remarks to the Guardian, Ali stated, "They never contacted me. The first I learned about the BFI's plan was through their program brochure, which mentioned an evening dedicated to Bandung File. However, the selections indicate a lack of understanding of what the show truly represented."
Ali, who detailed his experiences with the show in his memoir published last year, emphasized the importance of presenting the series accurately and within its proper context. He articulated that the essence of Bandung File lay in its ability to bridge the West Indian and South Asian communities while also engaging a broader audience; notably, it attracted an equal viewership split between white and non-white audiences. Ali asserted, "Our philosophy was that white viewers also needed to be educated."
The title of the show, Bandung File, was inspired by the historic 1955 conference held in Indonesia, where newly independent Asian and African nations gathered to discuss shared challenges. It marked a significant shift in programming aimed at a black and South Asian audience, distinguishing itself from earlier multicultural offerings, which often took the form of magazine-style shows like Eastern Eye and Black on Black, the latter hosted by Pauline Black from the band Selecter.
Unlike its predecessors, Bandung File tackled serious issues with a more hard-hitting and internationalist approach, paving the way for other impactful Channel 4 series such as Black Bag, which addressed critical topics like the Cardiff Three scandal with rigorous investigative journalism.
Ali reflected on the show's legacy, noting, "When I present Bandung File to students today, the common reaction is disbelief—‘Was this really aired on British television?’ They find it hard to reconcile their current viewing experiences with what we produced back then. This highlights the potential of television when it receives sustained support and commitment."
Noteworthy achievements of Bandung File included revealing a vote-rigging scheme in Roy Hattersley's constituency of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, and shedding light on the Greater London Council’s funding of a far-right Hindu political organization. The show even featured an interview with Salman Rushdie during the contentious period surrounding The Satanic Verses.
Samir Shah, the current chair of the BBC, praised the program for its investigative coverage of the BCCI scandal, stating, "It illustrated the profound impact that such journalism can achieve."
Reflecting on the present-day landscape, Ali lamented that a show like Bandung File would struggle to gain commission or success now. He recalled, "At that time, the situation in South Africa was highly newsworthy, and we had a covert network of filmmakers providing us with five to ten minutes of footage weekly. Can you imagine today's government allowing similar coverage from Gaza? I doubt it."
Despite the serious nature of the content, the team behind Bandung File maintained a sense of humor. After the show's cancellation, they humorously organized a "funeral" for it in Kentish Town, sending out invitations that read: "Bandung File, born 1985, died 1989; cause of death – execution … dress code: all black."
A representative for the BFI stated, "We acknowledge the pivotal role Tariq played in shaping Bandung File alongside Darcus Howe. We always intended to include him in this upcoming season and are actively working to involve him. The delay in reaching out was merely due to logistical issues in obtaining his contact information. It is normal for us to confirm guest participation after our program brochure has been released, and we are in the process of securing additional contributors for events throughout this season."
The season titled Constructed, Told, Spoken: A Counter-History of Britain on TV focuses on the development of multicultural television in the UK during the 1980s. It will take place over February and March and features screenings that honor the contributions of figures like Stuart Hall and highlight influential black gay television series from that era.
