‘This is for the underrepresented’: Noel Clarke’s moving BAFTA 2021 speech

Noel Clarke was scheduled to receive the only in-person BAFTA Award in 2021 on April 10 for ‘Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema‘ and in return for the accolade delivered a short and crisp speech, which has garnered reactions on social media platforms which label him as ‘inspirational’. 

Before he was called upon the stage to be presented with the award, a short clip was played for the viewers which gave context about his upcoming statements. The decade-old clip showed Clarke strutting to the stage after he was announced as the winner of the ‘Rising Star Award’. 

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The 45-year-old kicked off his speech by explaining his original intention to apologise for the way he accepted the previous award, which was perceived as “arrogant” by many. However, he went on to say that he is “not going to do that” as he felt “vindicated”. 

Clarke described his journey in the show businesses as a “battle” while highlighting the hurdles faced by Black people in the entertainment industry. He went on to say that the award presented to him was about the times his work “was worthy and not recognised”. 

Clarke went on to dedicate the award to the “underrepresented” and “anyone who sits at home and believes thinking they can achieve more.” He added, “This is particularly for my young black boys and girls out there, who never believed that this could happen to them” while pointing towards the golden-coloured BAFTA trophy sitting on a table next to him. 

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Clarke is known for writing and featuring in Hood trilogy, “Kidulthood” (2006), “Adulthood” (2008) and “Brotherhood” (2016). His statements in 2009 addressed similar concerns. He said, “I will endeavor to continue to make ground-breaking work and open doors for underrepresented people that may not often get a chance.”