Niloufar Haidari

Kosar Ali and Bukky Bakray are dancing at the foot of an incredibly fancy gothic staircase in the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Fredo & Young T’s ‘Ay Caramba’ is blaring out of a speaker, but it’s not the afrobeats mega-hit that’s got their attention. ‘These are the Spice Girl stairs!’ exclaims 16-year-old Ali. She’s right: the ‘Wannabe’ video was filmed on these steps 24 years ago – eight years before she was even born. ‘Can we get a photo doing the poses?’ she asks. She throws a peace sign in homage to the group. Bakray, 17, and Ali might be strangers to you, but they won’t be for long. The brand-new actors, who grew up in Hackney and Stratford respectively, play best friends in ‘Rocks’: a female-led coming-of-age film that is as heartbreaking as it is joyous, shotin east London and written by the Hackney-born Theresa Ikoko. Photograph: courtesy of Rocks ‘Rocks’ tells the story of a young girl who is left to fend for herself and her younger brother when their mum goes missing, and the female relationships that get her through it all. It explores a side of London that is often overlooked – and the best thing about it is the friendship between Rocks (Bakray) and her best mate Sumaya (Ali). Deeping life A half-hour later and Bakray and Ali are devouring cheese toasties and fries in the hotel’s restaurant as they talk passionately about making the movie. They – along with most of the cast – were discovered at open workshops held in schools and youth clubs across London. Dire