A Man from Lewisham
Director Antonio Ribeiro
Countries United Kingdom
Duration 27 min
Synopsis
Billy Jenkins, a renowned British Blues singer and guitarist, has been playing his music across the UK and internationally since the 1970s. With the decline of traditional music sales and following a period looking after his father-in-law, a dementia sufferer, Billy decided to go 'where the smart money is' training to become a Humanist funeral officiant with the British Humanist Association. The film starts as a biographical portrayal of Billy's formative years and career spanning four decades. Weaving some solos and recorded tracks in the narrative, the documentary provides the viewer with a rare and intimate insight of his role as a humanist officiant, when on Monday 19th April 2010 Billy officiates the funeral of 39 year-old stand-up comedian Karl Edric Manson. The film juxtaposes Billy Jenkins love of music, his thoughts on life and death and his newer role as Blues preacher in local chapels and crematoria.
Billy Jenkins, a renowned British Blues singer and guitarist, has been playing his music across the UK and internationally since the 1970s. With the decline of traditional music sales and following a period looking after his father-in-law, a dementia sufferer, Billy decided to go 'where the smart money is' training to become a Humanist funeral officiant with the British Humanist Association. The film starts as a biographical portrayal of Billy's formative years and career spanning four decades. Weaving some solos and recorded tracks in the narrative, the documentary provides the viewer with a rare and intimate insight of his role as a humanist officiant, when on Monday 19th April 2010 Billy officiates the funeral of 39 year-old stand-up comedian Karl Edric Manson. The film juxtaposes Billy Jenkins love of music, his thoughts on life and death and his newer role as Blues preacher in local chapels and crematoria.