Aml Ameen makes her directorial debut with Britain's first romantic comedy “Black Christmas”

By Marie-Louise Gumuchian

LONDON (Reuters) – Inspired in part by his own life, actor Aml Ameen says his directorial debut, “Boxing Day,” is different from other Christmas films: It is the first British romantic Christmas comedy with a predominantly black cast.

In addition to directing and co-writing the film, Ameen plays Los Angeles-based British author Melvin, who returns to his London home for Christmas to introduce his American fiancée Lisa to his British-Caribbean family.

Things get bumpy when Lisa meets Melvin's ex-girlfriend, who is now a famous pop star and still a very close friend of his family.

“It's a film about my family and how we do things and inspired thoughts from my life. And then it's … very clear that it's the first with a predominantly black cast and that's a pretty monumental, historic moment,” Ameen told Reuters.

The film is full of laughs and features typical festive London scenes. In a nod to the popular Christmas film Love Actually, Melvin shows up at Lisa's window with large postcards.

“There's not much in British cinema history… with a majority black cast that doesn't deal with trauma, and this is one of the things we enjoy,” said Ameen, known for “Yardie” and “I May Destroy You.”

Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock makes her acting debut in the film, playing Melvin's ex-girlfriend Georgia.

“Being on stage (as a singer) is a form of acting… you tell a story through the song, but acting in a film is very different,” she said. “I just put my heart into it and went with it… I loved it.”

The film also stars “How to Get Away with Murder” actress Aja Naomi King as Lisa and Oscar nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Melvin’s mother.

“Boxing Day” hits British cinemas on Friday.

(Reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Gareth Jones)