Keeling’s Caribbean Showcase

/

ONE DAY

Penny Woodlock (2010)

Considered Britain’s first Hip Hop musical, this film draws heavily on the Afro-Carribean British film tradition that Keeling Beckford specialized in this year. But here, Reggae and Rub-a-Dub have been replaced with Grime and the “non-professional” actors deliver high powered lyrics along with their dramatic performances. 1 Day the attention to daily hardship of Caribbean life in England with Pressure and Babylon, with the nihilistic gangsterism of films like Boyz in the Hood and Training Day.

Rated R for language & violence.

Keeling’s Caribbean Showcase

/

Curated by Keeling Beckford of Keeling’s Reggae Music and Videos

Cop and a Badman

Dir. Trenten W. Gumbs, 2010, 73 min.

The Jamaican government sends Detective Colonel Stevens (Leo Wilson) to Oakland, California to locate, capture and return three escaped criminals and return the Queen’s stolen jewels...From the producers of “Rude Boy” and “Gangsta’s Paradise”, comes the greatest Jamaican action comedy of all-time! Directed by Trenten W. Gumbs, “Cop and a Badman” is sure to have you rolling with laughter one minute and clutching your seat the next.

Keeling’s Caribbean Showcase

/

Sugar Minott and the Birth of Dancehall

Marcus Garvey Syndicate Presents: Dancehall Stage Show, 1986

Live at Pool Club, Brentford Road, Kingston, Jamaica. featuring Youthman Promotion, MC Barry Zaro & Louise and Tony Owens Present: Highlights of Youthman Promotion Dance featuring Thrilla, Joe Lickshot, Yammy Bolo, Squiddly Ranks, Selector Stich, Colorman, Tippa Lee.

 

Listening Party from 10pm-12am

Sweet Sound of Sugar listening party featuring Lady Ann and More!

 

Keeling's Caribbean Showcase

/

Never before seen footage from the vaults of Keeling Beckford.

Reggae Heroes on Parade '93

Dir. Keeling Beckford (1993) 58 min.

Tappa Zukie gathered a lineup of reggae heroes to perform at Jamaica's famous dancehall, Coney Park, and Keeling was there, as always, to catch it on film. Only the greatest on this one: Sugar Minott, Johnnie Clark, Brigadiere Jerry, Melodians, U-Roy, Big Youth, Mykal Rose, and Tappa Zukie.

8:30 pm

Classic Films of the Afro-Caribbean Diaspora

Babylon

Dir. Franco Rosso, 1980, 91 min.

Babylon is set in South London at the start of the ’80s, a time when reggae music was at its peak, along with a distinctively British brand of xenophobia and racism that saw American boxer Marvin Hagler pelted with bottles at Wembley after beating Alan ‘I’ll never lose to a black man’ Minter. The plot concerns Blue, lead chanter for Ital Lion Sound (played by Aswad singer and former Double Decker Brinsley Forde), in the run-up to a competition with a rival crew led by Jah Shaka (who appears as himself). Over the course of the film Blue socialises with his friends and clashes with his family, employer, and a local clan of racists, before going on a spiritual and physical journey through small hours London where he encounters a series of trials and temptations that set up the film’s violent climax.

 

Keeling's Caribbean Showcase

/

Never before seen footage from the vaults of Keeling Beckford.

Reggae Heroes on Parade '93

Dir. Keeling Beckford (1993) 58 min.

Tappa Zukie gathered a lineup of reggae heroes to perform at Jamaica's famous dancehall, Coney Park, and Keeling was there, as always, to catch it on film. Only the greatest on this one: Sugar Minott, Johnnie Clark, Brigadiere Jerry, Melodians, U-Roy, Big Youth, Mykal Rose, and Tappa Zukie.

 

Classic Films of the Afro-Caribbean Diaspora

Babylon

Dir. Franco Rosso, 1980, 91 min.

"Criminally Underrated!"

Babylon is set in South London at the start of the ’80s, a time when reggae music was at its peak, along with a distinctively British brand of xenophobia and racism that saw American boxer Marvin Hagler pelted with bottles at Wembley after beating Alan ‘I’ll never lose to a black man’ Minter. The plot concerns Blue, lead chanter for Ital Lion Sound (played by Aswad singer and former Double Decker Brinsley Forde), in the run-up to a competition with a rival crew led by Jah Shaka (who appears as himself). Over the course of the film Blue socialises with his friends and clashes with his family, employer, and a local clan of racists, before going on a spiritual and physical journey through small hours London where he encounters a series of trials and temptations that set up the film’s violent climax.


 

Keeling’s Caribbean Showcase

/

7:30 pm

The Best of Shabba @ Showdown

Shabba performing at the height of his Grammy Award-winning career, working the crowd at Jamaica’s famous club, Showdown, with his raunchy and humorous vocals. Also featuring performances from top dancehall artists Ninja Man, Papa San, Junior Demus, Risto Benjie and more.

8:30 pm

Smile Orange

Dir. Trevor Rhone (1976) 86 min.

Smile Orange makes satire of the exploitative tourist trade in '70s Jamaica. From The New York Times: “The tourist is funny and crass; the native who serves and exploits him is crass and funny.” Carl Bradshaw (Harder They Come, No Place Like Home) stars as Ringo, a hotel worker who has mastered the art of “getting over” - he sleeps with the guests, cons tourists and imparts dark advice to his younger co-worker: “If you’re a black man and won’t play a part you’re going to starve to death.” Beneath the humor lies serious commentary on the complex negotiations of black male subjectivity in post-colonial Jamaica.

Keeling's Caribbean Showcase

/

Heartland Reggae: Bob Marley Peace Concert (1981), 60 min.

In Jamaica, 1978, Bob Marley organized a concert in the midst of intense political violence, of which he himself was a victim. Following performances including Jacob Miller Dennis Brown, Bob Marley takes the stage and makes history by bringing political foes Norman Manley and Edward Seaga together on the stage.  With exclusive interviews.

 

Babylon

Dir. Franco Rosso, 1980, 91 min.

Babylon is set in South London at the start of the ’80s, a time when reggae music was at its peak, along with a distinctively British brand of xenophobia and racism that saw American boxer Marvin Hagler pelted with bottles at Wembley after beating Alan ‘I’ll never lose to a black man’ Minter. The plot concerns Blue, lead chanter for Ital Lion Sound (played by Aswad singer and former Double Decker Brinsley Forde), in the run-up to a competition with a rival crew led by Jah Shaka (who appears as himself). Over the course of the film Blue socialises with his friends and clashes with his family, employer, and a local clan of racists, before going on a spiritual and physical journey through small hours London where he encounters a series of trials and temptations that set up the film’s violent climax.

 

Keeling's Caribbean Movie Showcase: Babylon

/

Dir. Franco Rosso, 1980, 91 min.

"Criminally Underrated!"

Babylon is set in South London at the start of the ’80s, a time when reggae music was at its peak, along with a distinctively British brand of xenophobia and racism that saw American boxer Marvin Hagler pelted with bottles at Wembley after beating Alan ‘I’ll never lose to a black man’ Minter. The plot concerns Blue, lead chanter for Ital Lion Sound (played by Aswad singer and former Double Decker Brinsley Forde), in the run-up to a competition with a rival crew led by Jah Shaka (who appears as himself). Over the course of the film Blue socialises with his friends and clashes with his family, employer, and a local clan of racists, before going on a spiritual and physical journey through small hours London where he encounters a series of trials and temptations that set up the film’s violent climax. -Angus Taylor 

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0nhcK_bylU

Babylon Website: http://www.uncarved.org/babylon/?p=59

Audio with Director [kicks in after a long musical intro]: http://www.uncarved.org/mp3/rosso.mp3

Glowing review of Babylon: http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/your-favourite-british-films/14274-babylon-1980-franco-rossos-cult-classic.html