‘Bel’ movie review: A haunting tribute to a Kenyan-Scottish musician on the cusp of stardom
"Bel", Louise Lockwood's new documentary, pays tribute to Beldina Odenyo, the Kenyan-Scottish musician who performed as Heir of the Cursed and died by suicide in 2021 aged 31. The film, which closed the Edinburgh International Film Festival, follows her sister Leah's effort to posthumously release Odenyo's debut album, blending celebration of her exceptional musical talent with a raw exploration of grief and the failures of mental health support systems.
Odenyo moved from Kenya to Dumfriesshire aged seven and endured racist abuse at school, later channelling that trauma, along with the deaths of her mother and sister, into music that fused jazz and folk. Her career was gathering pace on the Glasgow scene, culminating in an acclaimed performance at Usher Hall for the Scottish Album of the Year award in October 2021, just two weeks before her death. The documentary highlights how she had repeatedly sought professional help for her mental health but was let down by the healthcare system, prompting comparisons of her voice to Nina Simone and Beth Gibbons from those who knew her.
- Documentary "Bel" honours musician Beldina Odenyo, who died by suicide in 2021
- Film follows her sister's quest to release her posthumous debut album
- Highlights her talent, racist abuse she faced, and mental health system failures
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Odenyo, who performed under the name Heir of the Cursed, was a Kenyan-born, Scotland-raised musician known for blending jazz and folk influences into a distinctive sound. She built a growing reputation on Glasgow's music scene, drawing praise for her voice, and was recognised at the Scottish Album of the Year awards shortly before she died by suicide in 2021 at the age of 31.
The documentary "Bel", directed by Louise Lockwood, was made with the involvement of Odenyo's sister Leah, who has been working to release Odenyo's unfinished debut album after her death. The film combines an account of her musical rise with a broader look at her personal struggles, including experiences of racism growing up and family bereavements, as well as her contact with mental health services.
The film premiered by closing the Edinburgh International Film Festival, a event for new cinema releases. It has drawn attention both as a portrait of an artist many felt was on the brink of wider recognition, and as part of a wider conversation about mental health care and support for those seeking help.