Roots Rock Reggae is a reggae documentary filmed in 1977 that shows an unforgettable moment in Jamaica’s history when music defined the island’s struggles and heroes.
Roots Rock Reggae is a TV Movie, directed and written by Jeremy Marre, that features Jimmy Cliff,The Abyssinians, Joe Higgs, Inner Circle, Bob Marley, The Mighty Diamonds, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Sly & Robbie, U-Roy and more Jamaican artists that made the history of Reggae Music.
Originally scripted as a 14 hours long, The Beats Of The Heart full series took more than 7 years in the making and exploring different music experiences around the world, the director travelled across fourteen diverse communities to complete his project, but that’s another story.
Each film expresses its themes through music, dance and the voices of those who perform them. Many performers featured in the series are heroes, or household names, like Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Gilberto Gil.
Roots Rock Reggae depicts Kingston, Jamaica, in 1977: a landmark year for reggae music. Police and thieves battle in the street as politicians fight for power – and reggae musicians struggle for people’s souls.
This was the first in-depth documentary about reggae music in Jamaica, and the social and political importance of this ‘cry of the people.’
Roots Rock Reggae shows us the real Jamaican society of that time, from the violent struggles of the Trenchtown ghetto to the placid hills behind Kingston, where Rastafarians drum and sing hymns, and everything in between: the sound systems, back-street studios – including Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s famous Arc – political bandwagons and radio stations.
This film captures a moment in time in Jamaica’s history when music became the island’s voice. It shows the heroes that went on to become superstars.
