SASHA KNIGHT – ANIMATED BOOK TRAILER

INTRODUCING…

SASHA KNIGHT – A NOVEL BY SEAN GODFREY

THE ANIMATED TRAILER

Everyone seems convinced that Sasha has simply run away.

On the days when he can’t hear her…Matthew believes it too.

Animated by Geroff My Visuals, with music by Cuba (OWN IT!’s co-founder and Creative Director, Jason Morgan), the trailer gives a sneak peek into the world of Sasha Knight.

The debut novel by Sean Godfrey picks apart the puzzle left behind when 11-year-old Sasha disappears. This coming-of-age novel, alternates between past and present, shifting back and forth from Jamaica and the United States.

Portraying the perils of toxic masculinity and the damaging effects of emotional trauma, whilst touching on religion and the deep-seated class and colour divide in Jamaican society. This is a genre-bending mashup that shakes the senses and tears at the heart.

Help Matthew find Sasha – Pre-order your copy here.

We understand that there are many people who have spent years walking past book shops, believing that there isn’t a story in there, for them.

For a long time, traditional publishing has strayed away from finding and publishing under-represented and marginalised voices, with a belief that there is not an audience for them. These days, publishers will look at an author and take into consideration whether their following on social media is large enough to add support to the publication of a book. This type of thinking leads to many brilliant voices going unheard.

Our open submission policy means that we accept unsolicited manuscripts from anyone and everyone, no agent needed. Through this method, we have the opportunity to find a story that we love, for the story. Because the story is at the heart of everything we do. Because Stories Are Life. As Sean Godfrey is a debut author, with no social media following, we had to think innovatively about ways to get Sasha Knight out into the world. We hope that this trailer will attract readers who might not even be aware that they are readers.

A QR code to the trailer will be included on the back cover of Hardback copies of Sasha Knight. This will give shoppers a chance to scan the code with their mobile and watch the trailer instantly. Adding another layer to the book-browsing experience, and giving readers a sort of visual book-blurb to take in and decide if Sasha Knight will make it to their bookshelf.   

QUOTES FOR SASHA KNIGHT:

‘Vivid, powerful, and moving, teeming with rich period detail, Sasha Knight is an astute debut from a writer completely at home on the page. This book is full of love, not just for Sasha Knight, but Jamaica as a whole. Seriously impressive stuff.’ Courttia Newland, Author of A River Called Time

‘Godfrey has crafted a whole host of characters and a world that feels new, but somehow familiar. I flew through the pages. Candice Carty-Williams, Author of Sunday Times Bestseller People Person

Sean Godfrey is a brilliant and breath-taking writer, Sasha Knight is profoundly tender and vivid, it is a tremendous story of love and loss and much more…Salena Godden, Author of Mrs Death Misses Death

‘Sasha Knight is a masterful piece of writing.  Painful, playful, complex, evocative and wonderfully realised.  Sean Godfrey’s novel is set in Jamaica and America, but has relevance across the globe. This is an absolute must-read. Yvonne Bailey-Smith, author of The Day I Fell off my Island

What a delight, a moving delight. I read this book twice, started it over as soon as I closed the last page.Colin Channer, Author of The Girl with the Golden Shoes

‘A masterclass of storytelling. Godfrey has that special ability of bringing a story to life so much that it lives in you, long after you’ve finished reading it. JJ Bola, Author of The Selfless Act of Breathing

‘Fiercely endearing. An accomplished and absorbing debut written with real heart and great depth. This profoundly mesmeric novel deserves to be found, embraced, and loved by many. One of the best stories you’ll read this year.’ Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Author of Your Show.

‘A sublime story, showcasing a magnificent mind. Sasha Knight is immediately infatuating, leading you through a multi-layered journey of two unique characters.‘ Jude Yawson, Co-Author of Stormzy’s Rise Up: The #Merky Story So Far

‘A brilliantly absorbing read with indelible character.’ Irenosen Okojie MBE, Author of Nudibranch

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE | FILM REVIEW | BY JUDE YAWSON

I have been thinking of the words to describe this film, if not Film Of The Year. Everything Everywhere All At Once is a breathtaking spectacle, an exemplary display of independent filmmaking, and an adventure that traverses through genres. It is a film about a Chinese-American family, a drama that latches onto the intricacies of their relationship. It is undoubtedly comedic, finely sliced apart from the existential and philosophical prose of the film. Combined with spells of action and a foundation of sci-fi, this film is nothing short of a masterpiece. The western film industry in recent years has been more receptive to centring Asian characters and stories in films.

Due to the sore lack of representation it is groundbreaking when it comes to roles, or producing anything that gains an insight to many Asian diaspora realities, and for those that need it presenting a way to express difficult conversations. Film is such an immense device to learn from, and Everything Everywhere All At Once is a great teacher.

Written and directed by the famed filmmaking duo the Daniel’s (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) Everything Everywhere All At Once follows Evelyn Quan Wang (Michelle Yeoh) in her day in the life of being a discontented laundromat owner. Dissected into three parts, the first being Everything, the film goes on to absorb everything that builds the stage where Everlyn is overwhelmed. She is troubled by the imposition of a visiting strict and traditional Father (James Hong), simply referred to as Gong Gong (Cantonese for Grandfather/Father in Law), while juggling a contentious relationship with her lesbian daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu). Joy yearns for her Mother’s approval, or rather attention, to address the elephant in the room often to no avail. Everlyn’s focus is delegated to the pressures of mundane work, taxes, a Father she must care for, and a barren lovelife with a frustrating happy go lucky husband in Waymond (Ke Huy Quan). In the midst of this burgeoning madness, Evelyn is approached by Alpha Waymond, a version of her husband from another Universe, the Alphaverse, where they created technology that allows them to temporarily access the minds of their alternative selves in another. He alerts her of an impending danger, Jobu Tupaki – the most dangerous multiversal being hellbent on destroying reality. When combined with the real lives of our Evelyn, Waymond, Joy and Gong Gong – we are presented with a wonderful, extravagant, investigation into the variation of possibilities evident in this multiverse.

The film begins with a beautiful shot of the Wang’s, bouncing with joy, pictured in a round mirror that sits between a gathering of miscellaneous household objects on a high shelf. We all have those corners in the home, very diasporic. The TV light tinting their faces and dimming the tone of home, it all falls deaf in what I assumed to be the next morning as the pressure of work and life unfolds. The detail of these opening scenes is atomic, rich in colour and lighting. It sets the tone for how the film intends to proceed. I love how it emboldens those little objects and the moment of collective joy in the mirror. It builds the reality of these characters starting with the most important note; happiness. The next day unravels that joy, framed as if plucked from the best times, showing Evelyn struggle with the running of the laundromat. Customers’ clothes have gone missing, the wrong paint is used to do the walls, a machine is faulty, and her family are bothersome. This next scene masterfully entalges a trinity of issues that trouble Evelyn: her tormented relationship with her Father, entertained by a cultural demand. A relationship with her daughter divided by generational and such cultural differences, an all too familiar tale for diaspora children. Lastly, a seemingly loveless marriage predicated on a lowly laundromat and a lack of having at their dreams. These themes join hands, and gradually expand into a cluster of issues. Evelyn battles with the idea of what if, the alternative choices and countless realities in which life didn’t turn out the way it did. In the same breath, Joy’s disconnect is not merely one of a troubled relationship with family – but one with life itself.

In all, the characters seem to be mystified by the potency of what if. Gong Gong never shies away from being blunt about his daughter he critiques at every moment. Everlyn spacing out for moments, wondering about a different life where she feels fulfilled. Joy gazing into the depths of nothingness, the moody darkness of dark clothes in the dryer capturing the abyss. Waymond, a people pleaser, infected by the disappointment Everlyn presence sheds. The main plot could be seen as Evelyn’s relationship with Joy, which like with many diasporic parental relationships can be overshadowed by a hierarchy of importance, as both are led through a journey that makes them question their foundations and the nature of their relationships. But I feel the plot encompasses everything, considerate of all the main characters’ feelings and the meaning behind them. The nihilistic nature of Everything Everywhere All At Once transforms everyday issues through the vastness of the multiverse in such a splendid manner – it is near perfect. My heart warmed, I laughed, my eyes watered, I gasped, winced, and at parts would sink at the relatability of the film.

The acting is tremendous, a perfectly pieced together cast. A spread of legendary actors and unsung talent forged together to fulfil this film. Everylyn and Michelle Yeoh were a match made in Heaven. Her grand career includes starring in films like Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2001) and recently the game-changing Crazy Rich Asians (2018). Despite her legacy, a film career spanning almost 4 decades, in an interview with GQ Michelle stated this was the role she was waiting for. In it, she cries out of sheer appreciation of the film and role. It encompasses a range that allowed her to embrace her acting skills in full. It demands emotional investment, a display of comedic spiel, of course her brilliance with martial arts, but also a vulnerability by the fact she is simply a Mother in this universe. Michelle also hailed the importance of the story, the representation through a story that can allow the actors to encompass it all. Coincidentally, representation is also the reason for the return of Ke Huy Quan to acting.

The actor in his early years featured in a few iconic films, including Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984) and The Goonies (1985). In an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Ke brought to attention how tough the industry was to find roles as an Asian man as the industry rarely had suitable roles. After a while, calls for the actor stopped calling. Enough so that Ke called it quits, hanging up his acting boots until he was reinvigorated by watching Crazy Rich Asians. It was such an inviting and touching film that it rekindled Ke’s passion to act. He called up a friend who’s an agent and Everything Everywhere All At Once came to his attention. Originally, the Daniels did want Jackie Chan to fulfil this role – but opted for Ke, as he added another dimension to Waymond as a character. He is such a lovely human being, one that by his behaviour and approach made me want to become a better person. Ke is an outstanding actor, very much instrumental to the film being incredible. It is so baffling that he hasn’t had the opportunity to display such a wonderful skill. Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays Deidre the hard-faced auditor who is auditing their taxes, commended him on his magnificence and the pleasure in seeing Ke perform acknowledging a gift that deserves to be paraded. Jamie herself is also another legendary actor. She is almost unrecognisable, and dons the aura of bully surfing on the powers of law. James Hong, the last legendary actor I’ll mention. He is fascinating, believable, and also expresses an understanding of why this character is so important. I won’t pretend to have seen a spread of his work, but writing this to discover he was the voice behind one of the most iconic villains in cartoon history, Daolon Wong in Jackie Chan Adventures, was so cool. Awkwafina was touted to play Joy, but an engrossing audition from Stephanie Hsu thankfully changed their minds. She was ethereal, absolutely owned her role. Alongside a star-studded cast, she shines brightly as they do. Also, her style? She will become a fashion icon through this role alone.

I don’t want to spoil this film, I believe everyone should stop whatever they’re doing and book it right now. Although, I do want to add context to how great it is. The multiverse is a concept investigated through recent comic book films and TV. Mostly, of course, in the MCU and DC. There is a lot to fantasise about when considering the enormity of their archives. Decades if not a century of content to dissect, elect and shoot with cash injections from some of the biggest media conglomerates in the world. A demand in knowing whatever is made will be received by generations of fans, and more, tied to their franchises. The Daniels started researching the concept of the multiverse in 2010, after being exposed to modal realism in the film Sherman’s March. Unfortunately, Spiderman Into The Spider Verse, other MCU films and shows, plus Rick & Morty had already explored the idea by the time it was ready.

Although they are wonderful films and TV shows, a debatable truer and or more relatable sense of cinema is questionable. I say that because it is incredibly hard to create a film like Everything Everywhere All At Once independently, with the resources the filmmakers used, and the potency of the film’s reception. For example, the video VFX was put together by 5 people. Just 5! That is insane for the sheer brilliance of the VFX throughout the film, from start to finish. The transitions and panning of the camera in many shots are magical. The ingenuity is strong, hilarious, and so captivating. The filming reminded me of a compilation of the best short films I have ever seen. So much attention to detail, and every resource exhausted to uplift it, this is the type of film you need to rewatch many times to appreciate the extent of it all. The scene of Evelyn being whisked into another Universe is actually a shot of Michelle Yeoh acting in slow motion, rolled backwards on a chair with a green screen video and edits composed through days of recording and walking the streets of New York by Daniel Kwan. The shifting of the frame to entertain wider action scenes was so well done. The seamless universal blending had my eyes fixed on the multitude of things occurring all at once. It was an adventure in filmmaking, and the best multiversal film I have seen. I expect this to win the best awards this year, and motivate more independent filmmakers to create from a vantage point of representation intensified by the factors of genre.

Go and support this film, watch it in cinema, take it in its entirety. It deserves it, and will not disappoint.

5/5

OWN IT! and Boy Better Know to publish Paperback edition of ENDLESS FORTUNE and partner with Audible for Audiobook

We are super excited to announce we’ll be releasing Ify Adenuga’s critically acclaimed autobiography Endless Fortune in PAPERBACK on 29th July + have done a deal with Audible for the AUDIOBOOK. Get your pre-orders direct from us for a personalised signed copy.

How do you go from being a penniless student in a foreign country to becoming the mother of “a family who could lay a claim to the title of the most creative clan in Britain?” – The Guardian

Part historical, part political but most of all hugely inspirational, Endless Fortune tells the life story of Ify Adenuga: A fighter, a thinker, a feminist and a parent. Born in Lagos, Ify’s life was uprooted by the Nigerian civil war, which ravaged the country in the mid-1960s, forcing her family to flee. In 1980, she headed to London in search of a better life where, a year later, she met her husband Joseph Senior at their workplace – a bingo hall in east London.

In the tough working-class area of Tottenham, the couple raised their four children and encouraged them to explore their artistic instincts, narrowly avoiding a violent situation that threatened to tear the family apart…

Endless Fortune is the first book of its kind from the mother of successful British creatives to examine the experience of the African diaspora and the complications around immigration from a personal perspective. Ify explores the chasm between Lagos and London and how to not just survive but thrive in a new culture and country.

“Raising one successful creative might be down to chance – to do so four times takes brilliance.” – British Vogue

“A memoir that takes in the ascent of grime, overcoming adversity…and witnessing her offspring reshape culture in their own image” NME

“This holds a wealth of inspiration, learning and joy. A must read.” – Candice Carty-Williams

“This is a touching, memorable story with a righteous voice at the heart of it” – The Big Issue

The formidably impressive Ifeomagwu “Ify” Adenuga is married to Joseph Senior Adenuga and mother of Joseph Junior (Skepta), Jamie (JME), Julie and Jason Adenuga. Ify went on to receive a BA (Hons) in Education & Film studies and continues to work with organisations across the UK and Nigeria to help young people lead independent lives in safe communities. In 2016, she received recognition as an ICON at C. Hub magazine’s prestigious Creativity and Arts Awards, which recognises excellence in creativity, leadership and entrepreneurship.

Bookshops are back!

Finally, it is once again safe to wander around our favourite local bookshops, browsing and finding unexpected tittles, turning over a real book in our hands and marching it up to the tills. Although some things might be a little different, such as exchanging smiles beneath masks and extra hand sanitiser, one thing that will remain the same is the sanity and tranquillity that comes when, as a reader, you can once again return to your natural habitat and pick up a book in a bricks and mortar bookshop.

With their reopening, it’s important for us all to support local bookshops and ensure their survival. These safe havens where us readers can lose ourselves in, are essential to our community.

Although it’s brilliant that we can jump on our phones and browse every book on earth and order it within seconds, there is just something completely different about the feeling of physically being inside a book store, running your finger across the spines of an array of books and deciding on one to take home. It’s not just about the transaction of a purchase, it’s the experience.

With the reopening of bookshops also returns the chance for people to talk to others, for human connection. It feels only right that bookshops reopening coincides with the sun shining fiercer and blue skies above. A sign maybe, that brighter, better days are on the way…ones that we can spend wandering around our favourite bookshops, once again.

Please always support indies. Here’s a list of some of OWN IT!’s favourite local indie bookshops:

New Beacon Books – newbeaconbooks.com

Libreria London – libreria.io

Pages of Hackney – pagesofhackney.com

The Broadway Bookshop – broadwaybookshop.com

Burley Fisher – burleyfisherbooks.com

Stoke Newington Bookshop – stokenewingtonbookshop.com

Newham Bookshop – newhambooks.co.uk

HAPPY READING!