Bronski Beat, “Smalltown Boy” | 1980s Music Video Closet
: The man and his friends later track the boy down and subject him to a violent homophobic attack in an alleyway. Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy (Official Video)
: At a local swimming pool, the boy's friends dare him to approach a handsome diver. He later makes a pass at the man in the locker room, but the man reacts with hostility. Bronski Beat, “Smalltown Boy” | 1980s Music Video
Released in May 1984, the official video for "Smalltown Boy" by is a landmark piece of synth-pop history that provided a raw, cinematic portrayal of the LGBTQ+ experience in Thatcher-era Britain. Directed by Bernard Rose , who also directed the controversial video for Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax," this video chose a "stark" and "grounded" narrative over the glamorous aesthetics common on MTV at the time. Video Narrative & Plot Released in May 1984, the official video for
The video is structured as a series of flashbacks experienced by a young man (played by lead singer ) as he rides a train away from his hometown.
: The video concludes back in the present on the train. The boy is joined by his friends—fellow band members Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachek —as they head toward the hope of a new life in London. Key Themes & Impact
: A police officer brings the battered boy home, effectively "outing" him to his parents. His mother is devastated, while his father is visibly angry and unsupportive, ultimately refusing to shake the boy's hand as he gives him money to leave for good.