Award winning Barbadian filmmaker Menelik Shabazz, debuted his movie, Lovers Rock, during a July 30, screening of Caribbean Films at The Music of the World Film, and the African Diaspora International Film Summer Film series.
Lovers Rock, often dubbed ‘romantic reggae’ is a uniquely black British sound developed in the late ‘70s and ‘80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems. It features live music, comedy sketches, dance and interviews and archive footage that shed light on the music and the generation that embraces it.
This collaborative effort that includes The Riverside Theatre and ADIFF showcases this powerful style of music in film that gave young people the opportunity to experience intimacy and healing through dance – known as scrubbing – at parties and clubs.
This dance provided a coping mechanism for what’s happening on the streets. Lovers Rock developed into a successful sound with national U.K. hits, and was influential to British bands like the Police, Culture Club, and UB40.
Also set for the festival, is another musical documentary titled Made In Jamaica, that gives a revealing social commentary on Jamaica through music and interviews, with Grammy Award winners Toots, Gregory Isaacs, Bunny Wailer, Bob Marley’s brother, 2006 Grammy Award Nominees, Third World, Bounty Killer, Blessed, Elephant Man, Lady Saw and others.
The U.S. premiere of Maestro Issa El Saieh by Frantz Voltaire from Haiti that explores how Issa El Saieh brought Jazz and Cuban musical influences to Haiti in the 1940s will also be showcased.
The festival will continue on Aug. 13, at 6:00p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 14 at 2:00 pm. with Fire in Babylon that tells the astonishing story of how the West Indies Cricketers triumphed over its colonial masters as one of the most talented teams in sporting history.
The Loves of a Zombie, Presidential Candidate from Haiti is a hilarious and provocative social commentary on Haiti’s corrupted politicians and resilient population that won the Roberson Award for Best Diaspora Film at FESPACO 2011.
This flick, and the Fire in Babylon will be screened at the Riverside Theatre, inside the Riverside Church, at 91 Claremont Ave. in Manhattan, on the main floor.
For more information, call 212-870-6784 or visit www. NYADIFF.org
