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(More customer reviews)MADE IN JAMAICA (2008, directed by Jerome Laperoussaz) is a fascinating and aurally delightful documentary about the reggae music scene there - the title is more or less literal. In 104 minutes the viewer learns about the true heart, life and soul of Jamaicans. This is not just about the music, though the music and artistes "speak" for themselves. The interviews are terse and brief.
I would like to see this available again on proper DVD in the U.S.!
The music I have loved for so long is in full force and its power, its mesmerizing beauty is not to be missed. Overall it seems better to hear this than watch it - but if one can see, it should be seen. Jamaica may not look so beautiful from this vantage point, but to me it has never looked more beautiful.
This film shows something vital: the actual state of the people. There's a frightening and nasty obsession with sex-as-performance-art; too much of the music is nothing more than sex and misogyny. We see how powerful the women are; we learn a bit more about Ras Tafari and its ideas, but not much. Rastafarians are essentially Christian but worship the late King Haile Selassie of Ethiopia as the Messiah. As it is pointed out, Jamaicans were told through a prophecy that when an important king appeared in Africa, they should all turn toward Africa and unite in peace. The "new king" would be the Promised One.
This Promised One was singled out as King Haile Selassie by the Jamaicans. (Legend has it that King Haile Selassie and the Ethiopian Royal Family were puzzled by all this.) My feelings will always be warm and affectionate for Jamaica and Jamaicans. They know life well; they take responsibilities even when they seem to reject all responsibility. And now, I must list all the great singer-musician-songwriters you will see here:
-Gerald "Bogle" Levy, murdered in the streets.
-John "Elephant Man" Hype, a foul, perverted performer who has been accused of being involved in the murder of Bogle.
-Bobby Killer, who encourages violence.
-Gregory "Cool Runner" Isaacs, an original old 'high priest' and peace advocate.
-Bunny Wailer, eloquent and another old-timer with a nasal, shimmery voice and a great philosopher who compares guns to the slave chains of old.
-Joseph Current, the young historian of his people.
-Vybz, another great young crusader for peace.
-Adi the D.J. with his excellent dance music.
-Capleton, a/k/a "King of Fire", the latest prophet of Ras Tafari.
-Stephen "Cat" Coore and his beautiful son Shiah. A special favorite of mine is Coore's "98 Degrees", a song about the murder of Bogle.
-William "Rugs" Clark, who with Coore makes up the great modern reggae group Third World.
-Alaine Laughton, a beautiful woman with an angel's voice.
-School Boy, who is young and as perverted as Elephant Man.
-Doctor Marshall, one of the finest vocalists of Jamaica.
-Keke Flint who sings with Current and has another of Jamaica's finest voices.
-Toots, who started his career as a barber, and who sings of the great King Haile Selassie and peace. He has his own group, Toots and the Maytals.
-Lady Saw (the less seen and said of her, the better!).
-Beres Hammond, another great voice and great philosopher.
-Nadine Willis, a beautiful dancer though not a singer per se.
-Blessed, premier Jamaican rapper who is obsessed with all things "gangsta".
-Tanya Stevens, best of the female vocalists and a true feminist.
-Koolant, a handsome young man with a great voice and future.
There they are, and while I DO NOT approve of marijuana, I am always inspired by reggae, the artists who have given it to us, and the people who fight to live every day. Jamaica has been made into a paradise by them - now if only they could lose the guns, as Gregory Isaacs has tried to teach through his music.
One star was deducted for the intense concentration on the perverted sexuality of a lot of the dance music and Jamaican hip-hop that this film features.
Get this and LISTEN!
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