Kingston, Jamaica, February 7, 2008 – The Jamaican Children’s Heart Fund, Inc.(JCHF), a pediatric open heart surgical mission team from Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, was one of the charities slated to benefit from the Africa Unite Film Premiere, held at Carib 5 Cinema Theater on Wednesday, February 6th. This event was extremely noteworthy as the film premiere commemorated the legendary Honorable Robert Nesta Marley’s birthday.
The Carib 5 Cinema was a hub of activity with the premiere of the documentary starring American actor Danny Glover, Angelique Kidjo, and the Marley family. Executive Producer, Mrs. Rita Marley said the film chronicled various important historical events in Africa as well as the history of the icon Bob Marley. She explained “, it is about Africa Unite, about the unification of all Africans- those at home and those abroad. It is about togetherness, the film is a combination of the events that happened in Africa during the Africa Unite event.” While the film is anchored by the marathon Marley benefit concert there are parallel narratives that help to create a fuller picture of Bob Marley's personal dream of a Pan-African movement on the continent and throughout the Diaspora.
A Tuff Gong Pictures production for Rita Marley Foundation and Bob Marley Foundation, the film features principle persons to the cause of uniting the nation, UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover, Jamaican politician Dudley Thompson, world music sensation Angelique Kidjo, Marley’s mother Mrs Booker, American singer Lauryn Hill, Bob Andy, singer Penny Afro, the Marley family- Ziggy, Stephen, Damian, Rohan and Julian, as well as a special appearance by Princess Mary the granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie.
Directed by Stephanie Black, Rita Marley emphasizes that the documentary is a unique film. She said “it is truly one of a kind- places and things that you’ve never seen before or dreamed they existed. We’re quite fortunate we were able to make it into a documentary.” One of those unique moments is Ras ‘Bongo’ Tawney, featured in Black's award winning documentary ‘Life and Debt’. Tawney's recollections are of the early and severe discrimination that Rasta’s faced in Jamaica making it clear how far the Rastafarian movement has really progressed. He remembers when merely wearing dreadlocks was considered not fashion, but a crime. Proceeds from the film premiere will be donated towards various charities of which JCHF, Inc. www.jamaicanchildrensheartfund.org is a recipient. The Africa Unite movement continues as Rita Marley emphasizes “we are taking Africa Unite around the continent.
