Bob Marley film hits theatres

“Possessions make you rich? I don’t have that kind of richness. My richness is life.”  These words and others by the late Bob Marley that epitomised the strength of the world’s reggae king, are embodied in a brand new film directed by Kevin MacDonald and executive produced by Bob Marley’s eldest son, Ziggy, in partnership with Tuff Gong Pictures and Island Records founder, Chris Blackwell. The two hour and 15 minutes long film is described as the most authentic on the late singer’s life.

 

Local promoter, Roy Maharaj of Tri Star Promotions was a special guest at the premiere of Marley—The Definitive Story, last Thursday at Emancipation Park, Kingston, Jamaica. He said he felt honoured to have been personally invited to the event. The premiere in Jamaica was offered free of charge to Jamaican’s of all walks of life, according to a media release issued by Garrick Communications. The film, a bio-documentary on the life, music and global impact of the reggae legend was initially three hours in length. However, it was eventually trimmed by 45 minutes. “I said ‘don’t take out the sad stuff, because that’s the stuff you really feel deep inside of you’,” said Ziggy, in explaining the process of editing the film.

 

Meanwhile, director, Kevin MacDonald said he wanted to make a film that could be the simplest film he could make with talking heads, still shots and archived footage. MacDonad, who was allowed editorial control, said the Marley family had been very co-operative in this regard. To him, Bob Marley remains one of the greatest cultural figures of the 20th century. “I don’t think anyone in popular music has had the same lasting impact that he has,” highlighted 44-year-old MacDonald. He said the film would be shown in cinemas in the US and the UK as well as on Video On Demand by Magnolia Pictures. Marley—The Definitive Story marks the first time the Marley family has authorised the use of images and film footage from the Bob Marley archives. The film was produced by Steve Bing, Shangri-La Entertainment and Charles Steel, Cowboy Films. Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley died at the age of 36 in 1981. Even today he is revered as as a reggae artiste of Jamaica and is credited with helping spread both Jamaica’s music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience.