“Rye Lane,” directed by Raine Allen-Miller, is a 2023 British romantic comedy with a relatable storyline. The movie takes place in the South London neighborhoods of Peckham and Brixton and excels in its cinematography, capturing the vibrant essence of South London outside of the typical “gritty” portrayal; the film’s visuals, while stunning, maintain an authentic and unpretentious feel.

Yas and Dom, portrayed by Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson, respectively, have both recently endured breakups that affected them in different ways. Their paths collide in a gender-neutral restroom at an art exhibition, leading to a day of exploration and newfound friendship. What ensues is a chaotic journey of healing, self-discovery, and unexpected romance.

Jonsson and Oparah’s performances are nothing short of award-winning. The witty dialogue and quirky interactions between the characters create a genuinely entertaining experience.

In a Q&A session (BFI), when asked about the romanticism of romance, director Raine Allen-Miller had this to say: “I just went into it going, I just want to tell a story that’s quite real. And reality is, is that people meet and have a great time and then break up in like two weeks and realize it’s not right…I think that’s just what it is, you know, like relationships are all over the place and I think, well hopefully everyone in this room has experienced a relationship where you’ve had an amazing time but it’s just not really worked out.

And I think it’s quite nice to sort of make a film where hopefully you don’t leave thinking, oh, and they lived happily ever after, because that’s just not true, sorry. But also, you maybe do leave with that…I think their performances and all the actors are just so real and relatable and it was really important for us to make a film that was like, people could sit and watch it and actually relate to it…Like, there’s so many films that I watch and I’m like, I honestly don’t know a human being that is like this.”

In a world where most love stories on screen don’t reflect the black experience, a film like “Rye Lane” matters because it’s about seeing people who look like you, talk like you, and understand your experiences. It’s a reminder that love and romance belong to everyone; a break from those tired old stereotypes and a chance to tell our own stories.

And it’s about giving talented black actors, writers, and directors the recognition they deserve in an industry that’s often overlooked their talents. It’s like a signal to the next generation of black filmmakers and storytellers, saying, “You can do this too. Your stories are important, and people want to see them.”

In the same Q&A session, Allen-Miller was asked if she received any pushback due to the film being nontraditional. She said, “The beauty of being a black female director is the minute someone asks you a question about being black or being a woman…no one can really tell you how to do it… So if anybody does ask a question or push back or tell us that it’s not right, they kind of have to come at all of us… I think, basically, no, nobody really did push back or say or question anything because I like to make it impossible for them to do that.”

She also highlighted the significance of working with a team that shared similar backgrounds and experiences, noting that her Director of Photography, a Black man from South London, and her costume designer, a Black woman and mother, amongst others, were key contributors to the film’s authenticity.

She further emphasized how her production designer, who was eight months pregnant during filming, and her hair and makeup designer, also a Black woman, all helped shape the film in ways that truly reflected their collective vision. By surrounding herself with people who understood and embodied the story they were telling, she ensured the film felt genuine and representative.