Blood and Fire A BBC Production, 2002, 57 min. In Blood And Fire, Theologian and historian, Dr Robert Beckford presents a history of Jamaica's struggle for independence and political autonomy from the days of slavery until the present. The program places special focus on the personalities that motivated the formation of Jamaica's rival political parties, the JLP and the PNP. The story of the Jamaican people's path to independence is centered around the cousins Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante, and how their very different ambitions for an independent Jamaica. The clash of charismatic leaders continues with Norman's son, Michael Manley's socialist agenda and Edward "CIAga" Seaga's neoliberalism. The film questions the political and philosophical basis of independence through an examination of neocolonialism. This program offers an in depth political history of Jamaica while questioning the degree to which Jamaica can be free when it continues to be subject to the designs of power brokers in multinationals and North American heads of state.
Moving Forward A BBC Production, 2002, 57 min. Moving Forward offers a detailed history of Ska and Rocksteady. The program traces the Ska's musical ancestors - Jamaican Mento, Calypso as well as American R&B and Jazz. It corrects the misconception that that Ska burst on the scene in the wake of independence. Rather, the energy of Ska asserted a Jamaican national identity that anticipated formal independence. Moving Forward is driven by the beat of Ska and Rocksteady as it relates the enthusiasm and prosperity of Jamaica in the early years of independence and the music's explosion onto the international scene.
Discussion
Location
Maysles Cinema (View)
343 Lenox Ave.
New York, NY 10027
United States
