Absolute Beginners featured Sade.
Absolute Beginners is a 1986 British rock musical film adapted from Colin MacInnes ' book of the same name about life in late 1950s London . The film was directed by Julien Temple , featured David Bowie and Sade , and Patsy Kensit in one of her first mainstream roles . Some of the criticisms included stylistic anachronisms , such as the mini-skirt and decidedly 1980s music from the likes of The Style Council and Sade , the bowdlerisation of Kensit 's character ( Crepe Suzette had been depicted as a promiscuous `` negrophile '' in the book ) , and the casting of Bowie , who made it a condition of his musical contribution . Sade (singer) . Sade would later go on to make her acting debut in the British film , Absolute Beginners ( 1986 ) , before the release of the band 's albums , Stronger Than Pride ( 1988 ) and Love Deluxe ( 1992 ) .