Zawe Ashton’s Culture List: How The Actress Researched For Her ‘Guerilla’ Role

Zawe Ashton in Sky's 'Guerilla'

by Grazia |
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Zawe Ashton's latest role is perhaps her most controversial yet. Directed by John Ridley, the man behind the Oscar-winning 12 Years A Slave, Sky Atlantic's Guerilla tells the story of the British wing of the Black Panthers in 70s London. Alongside the likes of Frieda Pinto and Idris Elba (also on producer duties), Zawe stars as activist and community leader Omega Moore.

In this week's Grazia, Paul Flynn speaks to the former Fresh Meat star, who reveals how her parents' own struggle helped to prepare her for the part, and opens up about racism, defying Hollywood expectations and the importance of protest.

Below, Zawe reveals a list of the books, films, music and more that she used to research her role in Guerilla. For more, pick up a copy of this week's magazine...

Books

If They Come In The Morning: Voices Of Resistance by Angela Y. Davis

Angela Davis addresses a rally
Angela Davis addresses a rally ©Getty Images

Written after her incarceration in the early 70s, Angela Davis' polemic offers a damning (and still relevant) analysis of the US prison system.

Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde

In this collection of essays and other works, Audre Lorde tackles recism, sexism and homophobia.

Films

Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, directed by Stanley Nelson

Black Panthers
Black Panthers ©Getty Images

This 2015 documentary examines the rise of the Black Panthers, and their impact upon the civil rights movement.

Pressure, directed by Horace Ové

The first feature-length fiction film directed by a black film maker in Britain.

Daughters of the Dust, directed by Julie Dash

Daughters of the Dust
Daughters of the Dust ©Getty Images

This 1991 independent film was written, directed and produced by Julie Dash - the first feature directed by an African-American woman to be distributed theatrically in the US.

Exhibition

Stan Firm Inna Inglan: Black Diaspora in London 1960-1970, at Tate Britain until November 9th

Now showing at Tate Britain, this exhibition brings together the work of eight photographers who documented the lives of black communities in London in the 60s and 70s

Music

The Last Poets

The Last Poets
The Last Poets ©Getty Images

A collective of poets and musicians who arose from the late 1960s African-American civil rights black nationalist movement.

Online

gal-dem

An online magazine written by women of colour. www.gal-dem.com

To read the full interview with Zawe Ashton, pick up a copy of this week's Grazia. All episodes of Guerilla are available exclusively on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV

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