St John Film Society presents:
4th TRAVELLING CARIBBEAN SHOWCASE OF FILMS
Spotlight on Caribbean Music
April 2, 2013/ 7:30 pm / St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay
Join us for a seldom seen look into contemporary Caribbean music. Two filmmakers capture stories of reggae, rap, rara, and soul – inspiring, transcendent, uniquely Caribbean!
RISE UP: STORIES FROM THE JAMAICAN UNDERGROUND MUSIC SCENE
88-min, documentary, directed by Luciano Blotta, 2009
You listen to Bob Marley and may have even been to Jamaica but you’ve never seen anything like this!
Follow three courageous musicians from Kingston back alleys, crowded dancehalls, privileged suburbs, and rural outposts as they demonstrate the raw power of hope in a place which appears to have forsaken them – although appearances can be deceiving. Welcome to the Jamaican underground music scene!
In a society where talent abounds and opportunity is scarce, three distinct and brave artists fight to “rise up” from obscurity and write themselves into the pages of history. Featuring Turbulence, Ice Anastacia, and Kemoy, with appearances by Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, and Lee “Scratch” Perry.
Rise Up is a journey into the heart of reggae’s birthplace, transcending genre and niche, seemlessly weaving three distinct stories into one inspiring feature film that is both dramatic and vibrantly explosive.
Whether you are a long-time fan of Jamaican music or want to learn more about it, there is plenty for you in Rise Up. Acclaimed as a musical Hoop Dreams and considered one of the best movies to come out of the Caribbean in many years,Rise Up was considered by the Academy for a Best Documentary Oscar nomination. Indie Wire says “Rise Up transcends the music subculture genre with abundant grace and style.”
Preceded By The Short:
BROOKLYN RACINE12-min, documentary, directed by Jeremy Robins and Magaly Damas, 2008
What happens when a group of young Haitian immigrants bring the enduring legacy of rara — voodoo-inspired marching music — from the Haitian hills to Brooklyn streets? The results awaken a pride for home that takes even the participants by surprise!