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This film, directed by Kim Longinotto and Franky Murray Brown, explores the challenging journey of a musician in the industry. It delves into the raw and honest emotions surrounding the fear of failure and the constant pressure to succeed. It sheds light on a rarely discussed aspect of being a performer: the constant anxiety of potentially losing one’s success.
In 2018, Dalton Harris, a young and exceptionally talented singer from Jamaica, emerged as the winner of the TV show, The X Factor. However, his journey to success was not without struggles, as he had previously performed unusual covers of Nirvana songs on a cruise ship. His outstanding audition for The X Factor, where he sang a rendition of Elton John’s Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word, is worth watching. Despite winning a one-year contract, Dalton faced challenges as he openly identified as gay, leading to a barrage of homophobic abuse on social media in his home country. While it is acknowledged that Jamaica’s anti-gay laws and attitudes stem from British colonialism, it is important to note that the country has been independent since 1962 and makes its own decisions. Dalton also shared that he experienced abuse from his mother during his childhood, making his memories painful.
The movie depicts him settling into an extravagant London apartment after winning The X Factor and realizing that he must continue to work hard and achieve success in order to justify his lavish lifestyle. The anxiety and fear of fame are evident as he clings to his gay identity and artistic integrity despite the pressure to conform to a more marketable image. At times, his cheerful demeanor is overshadowed by a more bitter and unhappy attitude. Dalton bravely returns to his home country of Jamaica to perform, risking potential backlash for his sexuality. He remains open about his identity but struggles with depression and substance abuse, and the single he is awarded as part of his X Factor win does not perform well.
The end credits reveal that he is currently involved in “regional theatre” in the UK. Is this referring to pantomime? Regardless, Dalton appears to be content and in good health; he stayed true to his beliefs. This is the ultimate achievement.
Source: theguardian.com
