A Liverpool actress will play a leading role as one of the first black women in the RAF in a new short film.
Cathy Tyson, will play the role of Lilian Bader, one of the first black, and one of the first, women in the RAF in the trade as an instrument repairer during WWII. The film 'Lilian' will be screened at the Odeon, in Liverpool ONE, as part of Liverpool Film Festival which runs from Monday, November 3 - 6.
The screenplay by Kammy Darweish was directed and stars Cathy as Toxteth born Lilian Bader (née Bailey), who joined the RAF in 1941.
Lilian’s father, from Barbados, served in the Royal Navy in WWI and her mother was Irish. On the outbreak of war in 1939, she worked for a short time in a Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes canteen, and was forced to leave because she was Black.
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Cathy told the ECHO : "I got the inspiration to do a film about Lilian from a book I read over 15 years ago, called "West Indian Women at War” by Colin Douglas and Ben Bousiquet. It's important to tell Lilian's story to draw all of our attention to Black people's contribution to the war effort.
"To also show we were here long before Windrush in 1948. For self esteem's sake. We have a history beyond being enslaved."
Cathy added: "Also, it's a testament to my father as well. I grew up with a picture of my father in his barristers wig and gown.
“My father was an absent father mostly. But that picture burned into my consciousness that as a Black person, I could achieve whatever I wanted. He looked proud and dignified.
"Amazing what a photo can do for you, and indeed photos play an important part in the film. As a young black girl the images I saw of Black people were usually negative ones. So that picture was proof that we are achievers as well”.
Cathy is a BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee and has been acting for more than 40 years. At 18 she spent a season at The Royal Shakespeare Company and was the second youngest actor there at the time.
Her first major role was starring in Mona Lisa alongside Bob Hoskins. Cathy went on to have credits in theatre and film such as, Wes Craven's Serpent and the Rainbow, Band of Gold, She Called Me Mother and many more.
Co star Katy Brittain, playing Edith Gimble said: "It was such a privilege to work with Cathy. Lilian’s story is one of such determination and resilience.
"It honours and remembers the forgotten heroes, those people of colour who gave so much in the defence of this country in WWII, sometimes their lives. Cathy’s an absolute legend and to not only act with her but be directed by her, so brilliantly, made this project so special to me.
“I can’t wait to see what her fabulous production company do next."
After the screening the film will be available on YouTube.
For information on Liverpool Film Festival and tickets visit Here
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