Becoming Sidney

Becoming Sidney is Ken Gregory’s docudrama that imagines a formative audition from a young man who would go on to become the legendary Sidney Poitier, and the historical impact the Bahamian would have on the acting world.

Told using archival footage and performance, the stage is set of a world where black actors suffer discrimination and pigeon-holing in roles that deny them the opportunity to flourish as storytellers. After an establishing montage of historic clips, the young Poitier (Jadon Shamir) is shown being barely given the chance to show what he can do onstage due to his accent, before finding the voice within himself that would go on to break down barriers in the acting world and beyond.

Based on the true story of Sidney Poitier, Becoming Sidney is something of a fairy-tale representation of the beginning of the great man’s journey. Ken Gregory interestingly splits his film into halves – the first documentary and the second drama, which contextualises the fictional retelling effectively (using Poitier's own recorded words as part of the dialogue) and adds layers to the significance of the young dishwashers’ dream at greatness – and the unlikeliness of such a pursuit. The background stretching back to the 20s, 30s and 40s where even Oscar-winning black actors were forbidden from attending the same ceremony as whites is a powerful reminder of the world Poitier grew up in. And even given the infuriating barriers he faced, Gregory makes sure to maintain the glamorousness of old Hollywood in such moments to make clear why Poitier so desired a career in performing arts. The jazz soundtrack in these sections, as well as clips of some of the eras finest actors is a quietly powerful addition that formed key parts of the story.

In the short’s second half it switches to a dramatic rendition of Sidney Poitier’s life – led by Jadon Shamir who portrays the future great as a shy dreamer. The sensitivity in Shamir’s performance is key in emphasising his naivety and inexperience, yet we also see signs of the inner strength and belief Poitier possessed to stand up to those who were hesitant to accept him. Clifton J Williams’ Johnny Brooks and Regina Williams’ Ruby Dee are key players in the episode of Poitier’s life, and intricacies in their smaller roles shine through to show that race looms large in their assessment of his skill despite experiencing discrimination themselves.

Truthfully there are some flaws in the dramatic section of the film – primarily the speed at which Poitier goes from receiving pariah treatment from the acting world to being lauded by the same individuals based on a single audition. Viewers will get whiplash from this transformation, which comes about not as a result of the short running time but due to underdevelopments in the script. However, for what is essentially a fantasy telling of this part of Poitier’s story, it is a forgivable hole in a short that otherwise accomplishes its primary goal – that being the importance of his impact.