Keeling’s Caribbean Showcase

W.A.R. Stories

Clairmont Chung, 2010, 88min.

This documentary looks at the life of Dr Walter Rodney, one of the region’s great intellectuals and activists whose reach extended far beyond his native Guyana. Author of How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Rodney was a fearless champion of justice all over the world. His assassination in 1980 shocked the Caribbean and brought into focus the work he was doing. The story is told through archival footage and interviews with contemporaries and family members. It's a story of a man who dedicated his life, and ultimately, gave his life in the struggle for equal rights and justice. He did so through his considerable intellectual gifts and actual grassroots involvement everywhere he went. The people who knew him weave a tale of how they related to him and him them. In the process we see the growth of their friend, brother, father, husband, his ideology and how that changed over the years from his coming of age in racially divided Guyana through the cold war, the Black Power Movement, Pan-Africanism, Caribbean independence, and the idea of self emancipation.

Post screening  Q& A with Director Clairmont Chung

Keeling’s Caribbean Movie Showcase

Curated by Keeling Beckford of Keeling Reggae Video

Duke Vin and the Birth of Ska

Dir. Gus Berger, 2008

London in the 1950's was a cold place in more ways than the obvious.

Or so it appeared if you were one of the thousands of newly arrived Jamaicans. Many were overqualified for their menial jobs. Thousands of others quite simply could not get work. Discrimination and racial tensions culminated in fierce riots in both Nottingham and Notting Hill Gate. It was in this environment that the Jamaican soundmen; Duke Vin and Count Suckle arrived in the UK. They both stowed away on a boat from Kingston and brought with them a sound that was sweeping across the small Caribbean island and would later change the face of music in the UK. This was the sound of ska!

AFTER THE SCREENING: Q&A with Australian Filmmaker Gus Berger

Links

Trailer: http://vimeo.com/10031822

Movie Website: http://gustofilms.com/

Back by Popular Demand! Keeling’s Caribbean Showcase

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

Sunday, May 8th, 15th &  22nd at 7:30pm

The Upsetter: The Life & Music of Lee Scratch Perry

Dir. Ethan Higbee & Adam Bhala Lough, 2008, 90 min.

An in depth exploration of one of the most fascinating and influential artists of our times, Lee Scratch Perry. This documentary probes into Perry's mysterious youth as well as the notorious events of his peak production years in Kingston. Scratch mentored a young Bob Marley, created the sound of Reggae as we now know it, pioneered a new genre of music called Dub, invented what was to become the remix and produced international hit songs for artists from Junior Murvin to The Congos to Paul McCartney to The Clash all while working out of the infamous Black Ark Studio, a shack that he built with his hands then later burned to the ground in a fit of drug addled rage. Equally a documentation of a musical culture and a fascinating character study of genius and madness, The Upsetter is a sight and sound clash of visual and aural styles, utilizing archival footage, photographs, concert video, audio clips, music video clips both old and new, and an exclusive, candid interview with the mastermind himself at his home in Switzerland. Filmed in Jamaica, London, Switzerland, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Colorado, The Upsetter charts Perry's influence on all reaches of the globe.  

The Upsetter: The Life & Music of Lee Scratch Perry

Sunday, April 3rd, 7:30pm

Keeling's Caribbean Showcase

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

The Upsetter: The Life & Music of Lee Scratch Perry

Dir. Ethan Higbee & Adam Bhala Lough, 2008, 90 min.

An in depth exploration of one of the most fascinating and influential artists of our times, Lee Scratch Perry. This documentary probes into Perry's mysterious youth as well as the notorious events of his peak production years in Kingston. Scratch mentored a young Bob Marley, created the sound of Reggae as we now know it, pioneered a new genre of music called Dub, invented what was to become the remix and produced international hit songs for artists from Junior Murvin to The Congos to Paul McCartney to The Clash all while working out of the infamous Black Ark Studio, a shack that he built with his hands then later burned to the ground in a fit of drug addled rage. Equally a documentation of a musical culture and a fascinating character study of genius and madness, The Upsetter is a sight and sound clash of visual and aural styles, utilizing archival footage, photographs, concert video, audio clips, music video clips both old and new, and an exclusive, candid interview with the mastermind himself at his home in Switzerland. Filmed in Jamaica, London, Switzerland, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Colorado, The Upsetter charts Perry's influence on all reaches of the globe.

After the Movie: Q&A with co-director Adam Bhala Lough

Reception Sponsored by Sugar Hill Ale

The Cool Ruler: Gregory Isaacs (1951-2010)

Sunday, March 6th, 7:30pm

Keeling’s Caribbean Showcase

7:30pm

The Cool Ruler: Gregory Isaacs (1951-2010)

Prod. Keeling Beckford, 1985-89, 90 min.

Vintage Dancehall & Concert Video Mix from the Vaults of Keeling Reggae Video.

Nothing defines Lover’s Rock better than the velvet smooth voice of Gregory Isaacs. This month, Keeling shares concert footage of Mr Isaacs at the height of his powers that has long been unavailable.

9:00pm

Bongo Man

Dir. Stefan Paul, 1981, 95 min.

This documentary follows Jimmy Cliff on an international tour in 1980, a year of violence leading up to the replacement of Michael Manley with Edward Seaga as Jamaica’s prime minister. Cliff returns to Jamaica as a “roots man” - and explores Jamaican history, society and culture from a deep Rastafari perspective,  disengaged with “politricks”. While his visit with African Maroons in the Blue Hills and his return to his hometown are memorable, Cliff’s live concert performances stand out above all.