“Farming” is a 2018 British drama film written and directed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, based on his own autobiographical experiences. The film explores themes of identity, racism, and the search for belonging as it follows the life of a young Nigerian boy adopted by a white family in 1970s England.
Plot Summary
Farming tells the story of Enitan (played by Damson Idris as an adult and Jemima Osunde as a child), a Nigerian boy who is given up for adoption by his biological mother and raised in a predominantly white working-class family in the suburbs of London. He is “farmed” out to this family, which is where the term “farming” comes from, referring to the practice of sending children from African families to be adopted by white families in England during the 1960s and 1970s.
As Enitan grows older, he struggles with his identity, facing systemic racism and the challenges of being one of the few black children in his community. His adoptive mother (played by Kate Beckinsale) is well-meaning but unable to provide him with the cultural connection he craves. As he becomes a teenager, Enitan is drawn into a world of violence and gangs, seeking to make sense of who he is in a world that sees him as different.
The film follows Enitan’s journey of self-discovery and the trauma of growing up in a system that treats him as an outsider. Throughout the film, he grapples with questions of belonging and personal identity, as well as the complexities of race, culture, and the harsh realities of life in 1970s Britain.
The film also explores the tension between Enitan and his adoptive family, particularly his mother, who wants to protect him but cannot understand the complexities of his lived experience as a black boy in a white world. As he grows into adulthood, Enitan’s path takes darker turns, and his quest for belonging leads him into increasingly dangerous situations.
Cast and Characters
- Damson Idris as Enitan (adult): The main protagonist, a Nigerian boy who struggles to find his identity in a racist and divided society. His journey is one of self-discovery and inner turmoil.
- Jemima Osunde as Enitan (child): A young version of Enitan, who is taken from his mother and placed in an all-white, working-class family.
- Kate Beckinsale as Ingrid: Enitan’s adoptive mother, who is kind but struggles to understand the complexities of raising a black child in a racially divided society.
- John Dagleish as Jack: Enitan’s adoptive father, who appears indifferent to the challenges Enitan faces.
- Gbemisola Ikumelo as Enitan’s biological mother: A Nigerian woman who is forced to give up her son due to the circumstances she faces in a foreign country.
- Sam Spruell as Mr. Green: A character that represents the systemic racism and prejudice Enitan faces in society.
Themes and Tone
Farming deals heavily with themes of racial identity, the immigrant experience, and the psychological toll of adoption. The film provides a raw and emotional exploration of what it means to be black in a society that constantly marginalizes you. Enitan’s struggle is universal, but it also addresses very specific experiences that many immigrants or adoptees face: the feeling of being disconnected from both their heritage and their adoptive home.
The film also examines the psychological effects of being “farmed” out to a white family, which, while providing him with a certain level of material comfort, also isolates him from his roots and exposes him to racism and cultural alienation. The tension between Enitan’s heritage and his adopted family’s world forms the emotional heart of the story.
The film is often bleak and intense, reflecting the painful emotional and social struggles Enitan faces as he tries to carve out a place for himself. It explores the complexities of love and acceptance in a divided society and examines how individuals come to terms with their identity in the face of societal rejection.
Cinematography and Visual Style
The cinematography of Farming is gritty and grounded in reality, capturing the starkness of 1970s Britain and the sense of alienation Enitan feels in his new home. The setting contrasts the vibrant culture of Nigeria with the bleak, industrial landscapes of London, underlining Enitan’s emotional isolation and dislocation.
The film’s visual style often uses close-up shots of the characters’ faces to convey the emotional weight of their experiences. The mise-en-scène emphasizes Enitan’s sense of being trapped between two worlds: his Nigerian roots and his adopted British upbringing.
Reception
Farming had its world premiere at the London Film Festival in 2018 and received mixed-to-positive reviews. The film was praised for its bold, personal storytelling, with many critics noting its raw and unapologetic depiction of race and identity. Damson Idris’s performance was particularly highlighted, with many calling it a powerful portrayal of a young man coming to terms with his heritage and place in the world.
However, the film’s heavy subject matter, which includes themes of trauma and violence, was considered difficult to watch by some viewers. While it explores important issues about race and adoption, some critics felt that its pacing and tone were uneven at times.
Farming was notable for its personal connection to its director, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who used his own experiences growing up as an adopted child in a white family to inform the film. Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s direction has been commended for being bold and emotionally complex, though some felt that the film could have benefited from further refinement in storytelling.
Legacy and Impact
Farming stands as an important film in the conversation about race, adoption, and identity. It offers a rare perspective on the Nigerian immigrant experience in the UK, highlighting the challenges of assimilation and the trauma that comes with being displaced from one’s culture. It’s a thought-provoking and heartfelt exploration of a topic not often addressed in mainstream cinema.
By telling a deeply personal story, Akinnuoye-Agbaje opens up discussions about the long-lasting effects of cultural dislocation and the complexities of being black in a white-dominated society. Farming also sheds light on the practice of “farming” children from African countries to be raised in the UK, a subject not often explored in film or media.
In summary, Farming is a powerful, emotionally intense drama that tackles themes of race, adoption, and self-identity. Through its portrayal of Enitan’s journey, it reflects the pain and alienation that many people face when they are uprooted from their cultural roots and forced to live in a world that doesn’t always accept them
