film Festival line-up

feb. 20th - 22nd (2008)

This years film festival will bring a whole host of excellent new films, more info on this will be released over the comming weeks, but we can confirm films from Dickie Jobson, Wayne Jobson ,Silvestre Jacobi, Jep Jorba,  George Tait, Helena Appio, James Ewart. Just to name a few of the talented film makers we have involved this year.
Below are some of this years film entries........

Stepping Razor - Red X

by wayne jobson   (1993) (103 mins)

"On a fall night in 1987, three men forced their way into Peter Tosh's home in Kingston, Jamaica. Inside, they drew guns and forced their way upstairs where they confronted Tosh and some friends. Tosh was beaten, pistol-whipped and then shot several times. Five others were shot before the gunmen fled. The victims were rushed to the hospital, but it was too late for Tosh. He died shortly after. Stepping Razor: Red X, the documentary, explores the life of the late Peter Tosh, reggae artist, Jamaican folk hero, prophet and radical political activist. Based on his personal taped diaries, the Red X tapes, the film reveals the inner thoughts of this volatile musician. His closest friends and associates talk about the many sides of Peter Tosh, explaining his fiery career and dramatic death. Archival interviews with Tosh and rare concert footage fill out this picture of the Rasta visionary." - (imdb.com)

africa unite

by  stephanie black

AFRICA UNITE is a singular and masterfully executed film that is at once concert tribute, Marley family travelogue, and humanitarian documentary, igniting the screen with the spirit of world renowned reggae icon BOB MARLEY in its every frame. In commemoration of Bob’s 60th birthday, Africa Unite is centered on the Marleys’ first time ever family trip to Ethiopia in 2005. Includes rare archival footage of world renowned reggae icon Bob Marley. There in the capital city of Addis Ababa three generations of Marleys take part in a 12 hour concert like no other, attended by more than 300,000 people from around the world, with the ultimate purpose of inspiring the young generations of Africa to unite for the future of their continent. Features exuberant on stage spots as well as a soundtrack brimming with Bob Marley studio classics. Includes appearances by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, actor Danny Glover, world music sensation Angelique Kidjo, Bob Marley’s mother Mrs. Booker, and Princess Mary, granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie. Produced and directed by Stephanie Black, Life & Debt; H 2 Worker, Associate Produced by Ras Bobby Morgan, and Executive Produced by Rita Marley, Cedella Marley, Danny Glover, and Joslyn Barnes.

countryman

by dickie jobson  (1982) (102 mins)

"A young woman crash-lands her plane in Jamaica. A local named Countryman rescues her and leads her away from the authorities, who have fabricated a story about the plane, involving drug and arms smuggling by the CIA, in order to gain popularity in an upcoming election. " - (imdb.com)

Many of you may be familiar with this Jamaican Classic, our film festival just wouldn't be complete without this excellent film from film maker Dickie Jobson. Watch out for the sequel to this film comming soon....

Roots of reggae

by arthur gorson & Wayne jobson (2006) (38 mins)

"Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Ernest Ranglin's parents did not want im to play guitar. He went on to be the most important musician to emerge from the Island, ane being awarded the country's Order of Distinction. Ranglin made records from "My Boy Lollipop" to the recent award winning "Search for the Lost Ridim'" A major musicians life is discussed by some of the top players in the field; including Chris Blackwell, Jimmy Cliff, Robbie Krieger, and Wayne Jobson." - (idmb.com)


THE ROOTS OF REGGAE: The Ernest Ranglin Story

Roots of Reggae parallels Ernest Ranglin's career with the growth of Ska and Reggae music around the world. It is a unique documentary. Featuring extensive reflections with Ernest Ranglin, and exclusive on screen commentary by those in the know, including: Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, DJ Native Wayne Jobson, Jimmy Cliff, Rico Rodriquez, 'Harder They Come' director Perry Henzell, Francis Price, Damian Marley & Stephen Marley, and Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare. It was created by an established professional creative team with extensive experience and unique credibility. It was produced and written by Arthur Gorson and Wayne Jobson, directed by Christoffer 'Salzy' Salzgeber; and edited by Chip Eddy and Bradley Warden. HD filmed in Jamaica and Los Angeles.
The film is a companion piece to a musical tribute to Ernest Ranglin. For this event, the producers invited a group of prominent international musicians and vocalist to Hollywood, California for a filmed live performance. This includes members of: The Doors, The Cars, The Wailers, No Doubt, etc.; as well as Elan, Alana Davis, Monty Alexander, Phil Chen and Kenny Lorber. This one time only event was captured real-time in the highest quality, high definition video, and recorded using AIX state-of-the-art, high-resolution, digital equipment and a signal path that maintains 96 kHz/24 Bit fidelity throughout. Among the 13 songs included are Ranglin landmarks: 'Many Rivers to Cross', 'It Hurts to be Alone', 'My Boy Lollipop', 'Straight Flush' and 'Pimento Walk'.
(Photo's courtesy of Arthur Gorson and Yamani Watkins)

roots time 

by silvestre jacobi   (2007) (73 mins)

Roots Time is a film by Argentinian film maker Silvestre Jacobi, it follows the story of two Rastamen on their journey through the streets of Jamaica  selling records in there multi-coloured Rasta mobile! 
The film follows them as they run into all sorts of problems and people along the way.

THE CHARACTERS: The heart and soul of the movie is the performance of the two main actors Baboo and Jah Bull, two Rastafarians with very different personalities and lifestyles but with a unique understanding and charisma. Before shooting the movie they did not know each other but the fact of being part of this story, out of their own reality, created a friendship between them that has united them forever.

BABOO:Baboo’s real name is Lewellyn Samuda. Lewellyn Samuda is a farmer who lives in the Jamaican countryside and feeds himself on his own crops throughout the year. Before acting in the movie “Roots Time”, he had never seen a movie in his life and did not know very well what acting was about since the only contact he had with society was through his small radio.

JAH BULL: Jah Bull’s real name is Woolton Harrison. Woolton Harrison is a reggae musician, who lives in Kingston city. Together with his son he has a record label called Bull Don Records and, together, they sell their records walking around the city. Woolton Harrison died in 2005 before he could see the finished movie.

Dub echoes

by bruno natal  (2007) (74 mins)

At first one might think that Reggae and Dance music don't have much to do with eachother, but thats a false perception.

The documentary 'Dub Echoes' aims to show how this Jamaican invention called 'Dub' ended up influencing much of the music we hear today, from electronic music to hip-hop. 'Dub Echoes' was produced by a Brazilian crew in Kingston (Jamaica), London (UK), NY, Washington, LA (US), Rio De Janiero and Sao Paulo(Brazil). Key names, from both reggae and the electronic music world, talk about the birth of this genre, how it helped to change the way we perceive music and how it's presence can still be felt today. Just follow the bass lines!
VIEW TRAILER

Destination Jamaica

by george tait (AKA jungle George) (2004)(85 mins)

We are very pleased to be able to show this unique film titled 'Destination Jamaica' (AKA Rastafarian Dreams) which is made by Canadian author/film maker George Tait (AKA Jungle George).

The film takes us on a journey back to the 1980's when George left his home in Woodstock, Canada on the journey of a lifetime and fortunately for us he documented his journey on one of the first ever handheld camcorders available to the general public.
George ended up staying in Jamaica for almost 20yrs.

The film takes us to the remote area of South Broughton, George documents his experiences while living with a local Rasta family 'The Sommervilles' (below) to whom he later became lifelong friends.

The film explains how George struggles in his attempt to save the family beachfront property from destruction.  The film entertains as well as educates us on the food and culture of the island. 

A real must see film for anyone interested in seeing the real Jamaica, one not usually seen on the glossed over holiday brochures.

DVD available soon from www.reggaefilms.co.uk

summer sound in canada

by Kevin Howes & Jerry Brown (2008 ) (20mins)

This is a real treat, 'Summer Sound in Canada' is a film which documents the birth of one of Canada's first Roots Reggae record labels, Summer Sounds.

What is special about this film is the fact that all the footage was shot in 1979 as the story was unfolding. Jerry Brown was what some refer to as Canada's answer to Lee 'Scratch' Perry, he came over from Jamaica in the late 70's and settled in Canada where he worked as a mechanic. His dream was to build a recording studio, and thats just what he did, with the help of those around him.

The film is a record of how summer sounds was built and includes some rare footage of the early artists who recorded there including Jackie Mittoo, Noel Ellis, Willie Williams.

the legacy

by jep jorba  (2006) (25 mins)

The phonograph starts to spin. The stylus falls softly over the vinyl record and life starts to play again that notes full of memoriesm difficulties, faith, travels and experiences.
The life of Rico Rodriguez and the life of Jamaican music are two faces of the same coin. They are like two parallel lines that passed through the time and place. In the documentary 'Rico Rodriguez - The Legacy' the time is 2006 and the place is Barcelona, Spain.
The old Carribean melodies of the 60's are performed by young musicians of the Millenium, that take with pride the musical and spiritual legacy of this great trombonist. These beautiful melodies become the perfect soundtrack to review the biography of one of the most humble and compromised legends of Jamaican music.
VIEW TRAILER

almost heaven

by ed herzog  (2005) (95 mins)

 
Helen has always dreamt of singing at Nashville’s Bluebird Café. She may not have the greatest voice in town, but that isn’t even her biggest problem. Helen only has a few weeks left to live. Since it’s now or never, the young German wants to give it a try – against the wishes of her narrow-minded husband who feels she should spend her last weeks in more dignified surroundings. Decked out in a cowboy hat and boots, she sets off for Nashville – and lands in Jamaica. Wrong plane. Wrong place. Wrong music.

She soon ends up in the calculating hands of Rosie, a saucy local whose morals are as skimpy as her skirts. With Rosie’s ”help,“ Helen makes it to Montego Bay, but soon has no money left to leave the island. She has no better luck singing for her supper: a German woman crooning country ballads isn’t exactly what American tourists want in Jamaica.

With time running out, Helen begins to let go of her dream and her life. But now it’s Rosie who reaches out and brings her back. For the first time in her life Rosie begins to care for so someone other than herself. And while Little Bay ain’t the Bluebird Café, it’s got the friends and the vibes that mean more to Helen now than anything else.

Whats On.....

If your going to be attending the festival this year then don't miss out on all the other special events going on in Kingston at the same time, either side of the Film Festival will be a whole range of Reggae related events.

Stephanie Blacks new film 'Africa Unite' will screen at the Carib Cinema 6th Feb.(tbc) Bob Marley's birthday.

There will be an Africa Unite concert held on February 24(tbc) at James Bond beach, Oracabessa.

The 'Global Reggae Conference' will also be taking place at the University Of The West Indies the week before the Film Festival 18-24th Feb.(tbc) This will include several days of conferences with papers presented from leading members of the worlds Reggae community.

The Pegasus hotel will host a reggae concert on the 22nd Feb., and there will be several reggae related events held at the Hilton Hotel around the festival week.

Checkout the PRESS page for a full list of February's events.