Rocks is a coming-of-age drama directed by Sarah Gavron and produced by Faye Ward. The film follows the story of a British-Nigerian teenage girl named Olushola, aka Rocks (played by Bukky Bakray), who must navigate the challenges of living in poverty alone with her younger brother Emmanuel (D'angelou Osei Kissiedu) in London.
The film begins with Rocks and her friends attending school and goofing around in their free time. Things quickly take a turn when Rocks returns home to find her mother gone, leaving only a note and a small amount of money. With no other family to turn to, Rocks takes on the responsibility of caring for her little brother and keeping up appearances at school.
As Rocks struggles to keep her family afloat, she seeks help from her friends, teachers, and social workers. However, she soon discovers that the system is imperfect, and her family's situation is not a priority. The film showcases the harsh realities of poverty and the resilience of a young girl forced to mature too quickly.
A standout aspect of Rocks is its cast, which is made up of primarily young, non-actors. The film relies on the natural performances of its leads to convey the story's emotional weight. The result is a heart-wrenching portrayal of a family struggling to survive and a teenage girl fighting to keep her childhood intact.
