Whelan Barzey

Whelan Barzey is a London-based film critic and interviewer. He has written for Time Out, Empire, Little White Lies, The British Blacklist and The Big Issue, with an interest in how film and TV reflect different cultures and social realities.

All articles by Whelan Barzey

Interviews

Ashley Walters on his prison-drama directorial debut Animol: “I wanted it to look like how it really is”

As Animol, his first feature as director, reaches audiences, Ashley Walters talks to us about bringing authenticity to prison drama, nurturing young talent and broadening the stories told about Black British lives.

By Whelan Barzey

Ashley Walters on his prison-drama directorial debut Animol: “I wanted it to look like how it really is”

Interviews

Mahershala Ali on Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother and the impact of representation

By Whelan Barzey

Mahershala Ali on Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother and the impact of representation

Interviews

Dionne Edwards on Pretty Red Dress: “As we grow older, our innocent curiosities are met with opposition, causing us to stop exploring”

By Whelan Barzey

Dionne Edwards on Pretty Red Dress: “As we grow older, our innocent curiosities are met with opposition, causing us to stop exploring”

Features

MTV at 40: four generations on how the iconic music channel rocked their youth

By Michael Atkinson, Whelan Barzey and others

MTV at 40: four generations on how the iconic music channel rocked their youth

Interviews

Stray: behind the scenes of the film that gives us a street dog’s perspective

By Whelan Barzey

Stray: behind the scenes of the film that gives us a street dog’s perspective

Features

A year of lockdown: the screen culture that got us through it

By Henry Barnes, Whelan Barzey and others

A year of lockdown: the screen culture that got us through it

Interviews

Chicken director Alana Hicks: “The industry is shifting radically. People are being held accountable for their bias”

By Whelan Barzey

Chicken director Alana Hicks: “The industry is shifting radically. People are being held accountable for their bias”

Features

Why Pixar’s Soul is a watershed moment for Black animation

By Whelan Barzey

Why Pixar’s Soul is a watershed moment for Black animation