Dr. A-L Tells: What to Read & Watch- My Friend Lanre

Welcome to my blog series Dr. A-L Tells: What to Read & Watch, where I get to share with you some of my favourite finds from books, films, & other gems that resonated with me so deeply I just had to write about them! In each post, I’ll keep it short & sweet with a 500-word-ish review of something I’ve recently read or watched, often centring Black people, identity, & diverse experiences around the globe.

This series mixes my personal reflections, feelings, & academic insights to offer a fresh take on stories that capture the richness & complexity of Black voices worldwide. I’m here to explore the layers of culture, history, & identity while unpacking how these narratives hit home for me on both intellectual & emotional levels. So, whether you’re in the mood for a thoughtful analysis or just a solid recommendation, I hope each post brings a quick but meaningful spark to your day! ✨

In this post, I dive into the film My Friend Lanre (2023).

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Imagine your friend dedicating years to making a feature-length documentary about you. Not for fame, not for accolades, but because he believed your life was too important not to be forgotten. That is exactly what filmmaker Leo Rogan did in My Friend Lanre - a tender, unflinching homage to his friend & collaborator, Lanre Fehintola.

The title alone pulled me in. Simple. Personal. My Friend Lanre. I knew the name Lanre was Yoruba & the poster - a striking black-&-white portrait of a Black man behind a camera, only his right eye visible - hinted at intimacy & seriousness. A story worth sitting still for.

Lanre was born in Lagos in 1958 & later moved to Britain. His early life was shaped by profound adversity, being in the foster system in such a racist time & in and out of prison. These experiences left scars but also honed a fierce empathy, resilience & a desire to bear witness. Photography became his way of understanding the world & communicating truth. He became a photojournalist for The Independent, compelled to shine a lens on the ignored & invisible. In his pursuit of truth about the lives of drug users & street dealers, he became ensnared himself. Addiction, pain & purpose intertwined. The camera never left his hand, even as his life frayed.

This film asks: how far is too far in the pursuit of truth? & what happens when your work is your life, not just a career? As an academic striving to navigate the pressures of the academy, I recognise the cost of when your work is your life. Through Rogan’s lens, we are shown not only Lanre’s accomplishments but also his abandonment, rejection & isolation. The documentary does not flinch. It is raw, uncomfortable & at times difficult to watch, but always respectful.

There is something quietly radical about documenting a Black man’s life in this way. Not for sensationalism, not as a cautionary tale. But as a layered, loving portrait of a human being trying to find his place, tell the truth & simply be. Themes of identity, culture, racism & misunderstanding weave through the film. Disconnection, both societal & spiritual, meets the enduring power of connection: a friend who saw past the addiction, past the chaos, & into the soul of someone desperately holding on to meaning.

Lanre’s life is jagged & poetic. Like the cycle of life itself, it bends, breaks & begins again. The documentary ends as life often does: with reflection, reverence & a sense of continuity. It is a meditation on what it means to be seen, to be remembered & to have your story held by someone who truly cared.

Lanre passed away from cancer at home in 2021, surrounded by a few cherished loved ones. May he rest in peace & continue to inspire future generations, as he so profoundly inspired me.

Watch it here: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-friend-lanre