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January 29, 2008
Marley Documentary Premieres February 6
By: Joseph Cunningham
The documentary, "Africa Unite: A Celebration of Bob Marley's Vision," will be premiered in February, "Reggae Month." It will have its world premiere on Marley's birthday, February 6, at the Carib 5 Cinema and will be available on DVD on February 12.
Featuring American actor Danny Glover, Angelique Kidjo, the I-Threes and the Marley family, the film will take a look back at the Smile Jamaica/Africa Unite concert.
The film is based on events before, during and after the Marley family's first trip to Ethiopia in 2005 for the twelve-hour Africa Unite concert held in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Three hundred thousand persons from across the globe helped the Marley family celebrate Bob Marley's 60th birthday that year with the massive
outdoor concert.
Additionally, the film will highlight the Marley family's travelogue and humanitarian efforts. It also includes rare archival footage of Marley himself.
The film also features Jamaican politician Dudley Thompson, Marley's mother Mrs. Cedella Booker, American singer Lauryn Hill, Jamaican singer Bob Andy, singer Penny Afro, the Marley boys-Ziggy, Stephen, Damian, Rohan and Julian. There is also a special appearance by Princess Mary the granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie.
Jerome Hamilton, publicity agent for the Marley's musical interests, said the film is an interesting look at the family, the concert and the thoughts of the young generation in Africa.
This year, the Africa Unite/Smile Jamaica concert will take place at James Bond Beach in Oracabessa on Saturday, February 23.
"However, this is the first time that the Africa Unite concert will be held outside of Africa," Hamilton said, "It's usually held in Africa but this time we thought the message would be nice to have in the Diaspora. Africa is more than a continent - its a people."
The line-up includes all the Marley brothers, Capleton, Cocoa Tea, Black Uhuru, Rihanna, 2Face, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrika, Bunny Wailer and the I-Threes along with many others. There will also be a special tribute to deceased African singer Lucky Dube.