Ex-Neo-Nazi Meets Black Activist: You Won’t Believe What Happened Next

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Almost seems as if arranging a face-to-face encounter between a former Neo-Nazi and a Black British activist for a joint interview on screen might resemble the setup for an unusual and potentially tense dialogue.

Fortunately, the situation isn’t what it is in Beyond the Divide, a film that delves into one aspect of a broader discussion on extremist ideologies that director Imoje Aikhoje has been contemplating for quite a while.

Among the group of Netflix Documentary Talent Fund films debuted at Raindance Film Festival 2025, Aikhoje is not a novice in filmmaking, but he humbly acknowledges that there are “certainly other filmmakers within this year’s cohort who have more experience than me.

However, as the initial venture backed by him (and notably, by none other than Netflix), Aikhoje was thrilled not just to work within the project’s specifications as outlined by the streaming service, but also to bring a narrative to life that is certain to spark conversations among viewers.

For this year’s Netflix Documentary Talent Fund applicants, the prompt was “you won’t believe this,” which sparked the idea in Aikhoje’s mind of a former Neo-Nazi and a Black activist due to their drastically contrasting views, as he explained to me.

As a movie critic, I must confess that the concept you’ve proposed resonated deeply with ideas I had been nurturing prior to discovering the existence of this fund. The essence of this theme has long dwelt within my creative realm, and it seems almost serendipitous that our paths have crossed in this manner.

Being a Black filmmaker in the UK, one cannot help but ponder the sentiments and perceptions surrounding their presence in the industry. This is not merely an afterthought or a fleeting curiosity, but rather a question that lingers persistently at the heart of my artistic journey.

Raised in the UK, Aikhoje expresses that he’s no stranger to racism in this country. However, recent events such as last year’s riots and some Brexit-related discussions have made him realize how deeply ingrained certain ideologies can be here. This realization led the director to feel compelled to explore the themes of race and growing far-right attitudes in a unique manner.

Initially, my reaction wasn’t one of anger, but rather a desire to comprehend their perspective. There seems to be an overwhelming number of people who share this viewpoint, leaning more towards the center or right on the political spectrum, as indicated by recent polls. So, I thought it would be fascinating to initiate a dialogue aimed at gaining insights into their reasoning.

Instead of portraying someone as virtuous or vile, Aikhoje aimed to grasp the human nature in all viewpoints and present an alternative perspective that didn’t solely focus on two opposing parties engaged in conflict.

Five years since the murder of George Floyd and the worldwide protests, it seems crucial now more than ever to re-emphasize our approach to discussing race relations. This is an era that should not be hastily dismissed, instead serving as a launching pad for discussions starting from “Beyond the Divide.

Upon our initial encounter with activist Christopher Otokito, we learn that he was among the group of men, including Patrick Hutchinson, who took action to save an injured counter-protester during one of the highly discussed Black Lives Matter demonstrations on June 13th, 2020.

The image swiftly turned into a memorable symbol of the year, thrusting Hutchinson, Otokito, and their companions into the spotlight, where they were widely acclaimed for their courage and determination in attempting to prevent further conflict.

Using personal archives and mobile videos of his long-time friend Otokito, we’re transported back to a year that was undeniably exhausting and challenging for the Black community globally. As Otokito shares his experiences, particularly after June 13th, he expresses a desire to uncover the origins of such hostility and find ways to counteract it.

It’s fascinating to focus a documentary on this topic, I mention to Aikhoje. Initially, one might think it’s inappropriate to listen to a former Neo-Nazi, but Aikhoje points out that Beyond the Divide tackles exactly that issue and emphasizes the importance of dialogue, stating “it’s crucial for such a conversation to take place.

He says, “The important part isn’t so much about the content of the discussion, but rather having it. I believe we often find ourselves on one side or the other, viewing the opposition as over there, and entrenched in our positions. It’s challenging not to feel that way when you’re subjected to a certain kind of treatment.

In my view, the intention behind this movie isn’t to suggest that one should forgive past wrongs solely for the sake of empathy or comprehension. Instead, I believe it emphasizes the importance of engaging in more dialogues overall.

Even if our current approach isn’t directly contributing to a resolution, it’s important to recognize that you might be experiencing racism or trauma right now, which could be physical, emotional, or mental. However, this doesn’t lessen the reality of your situation.

During their initial conversations, Aikhoje expresses being genuinely astonished at certain aspects of Nigel Bromage’s narrative, primarily because his recollections of his childhood mirrored those of people Aikhoje personally knows.

Aikhoje points out that growing up among a multicultural circle of friends and enjoying various genres of music doesn’t guarantee inherent goodness within oneself. However, he notes, transforming from such background into a Neo-Nazi represents an extraordinarily drastic shift.

He goes on to say: “What struck me the most was the overwhelming amount of affection and backing Bromage received from extreme-right communities and Neo-Nazis. Normally, when I contemplate these groups, I envision hostility, rage. I picture individuals who would threaten me, my loved ones, and those dear to me.

It was truly astonishing at the time – though it’s clear now, it surely should have been expected – to learn about all the compassion, assistance, and affection he received.

In just 12 minutes, Beyond the Divide manages to pack quite a punch (with dramatized segments that offer insights into Bromage’s adolescent years) and despite the difficulty many might perceive in this task, Aikhoje found it exhilarating to cram a complete storyline within such constraints.

If only two individuals are debating a topic, what benefit will the spectators derive from it? Essentially, they will enter with a specific perspective and exit with the identical opinion.

Initially joining the far-right movement at the tender age of 15, Bromage now serves as CEO for Exit Hate UK and Small Steps, an organization specializing in countering extremist education.

In the heart of Beyond the Divide, we find a transformative tale. Aikhoje is eager to understand Bromage’s point of view concerning his past as a far-right extremist, which Aikhoje notes is a perspective many people share today. The aim is to emphasize Bromage’s comprehensive understanding of why such ideologies are illogical.

At first, Aikhoje’s concept for “Beyond the Divide” lacked the comprehensive narrative that we eventually see, and the original intention was to incorporate a character who was deeply entrenched in far-right ideologies.

While fully supporting this brief movie, Aikhoje acknowledges that it’s not a single, isolated subject. He hints at a forthcoming extensive project on the horizon, expressing his belief that “there’s potential for a narrative like this to delve deeper into conflict.

He mentioned that he is currently working on an extended version of this project, focusing on individuals who are just beginning their journey. This new version might stretch over a whole year instead of just a few months.

My aim is to both enlighten and amuse, whenever possible; if not, then within the realm of visual media, I strive to create something aesthetically engaging while simultaneously educating myself along the way.

Furthermore, just as shorts serve as an excellent “training arena” due to their ability to focus a director’s attention on a narrative within a limited timeframe, he expresses his enthusiasm about transitioning to full-length films, or “graduating to features.

The focus of this documentary lies in exploring the factors that foster extremist ideologies, while simultaneously ensuring an accurate portrayal of both Otokito and Bromage. In simpler terms, we aim to delve into what encourages such radical thinking, all while making sure their representation is genuine.

The director openly acknowledges that the compassion and forgiveness displayed by the two collaborators served as his inspiration. This heartfelt quality was particularly evident in Otokito’s grasp of Bromage’s narrative.

Just as any filmmaker, Aikhoje acknowledges that viewers may interpret Beyond the Divide in their own ways, but expresses his hope that it could benefit someone. Having delved into topics like domestic abuse, anxiety, and homelessness in previous short films, Aikhoje admits to drawing from personal experiences when he writes.

I find something exceptionally captivating in tales of this nature. While I appreciate ensemble narratives, my current preference leans towards individual character journeys, particularly those following a hero embarking on a quest to either master themselves or dominate their surroundings. My inspiration is fueled by stories that depict people triumphing against adversity.

It’s evident that numerous factors shape one’s expectations of a conversation between Otokito and Bromage in Beyond the Divide. For Aikhoje, it’s crucial to avoid hasty judgments, especially since discussions on these subjects seem to be escalating rapidly, making it essential to foster open dialogue.

As a movie enthusiast, when I inquired about the key aspects he aimed to convey through Chris’s and Nigel’s narratives, he replied: “For Chris, it was primarily about highlighting a relatable viewpoint. With Nigel, there’s always an intention to evoke empathy at certain moments, but what sets him apart is the depth of his personal trauma, feelings, and insights that I hadn’t been aware of until our encounter.

I don’t want people to jump to conclusions, but it’s true that Nigel’s points about what draws him to the far-right are significant today. That’s why we chose to make the film now. So I believe learning about those factors and the techniques they discussed were our main priorities.

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2025-06-27 14:35