07-23-2019, 02:46 PM
A long-lost Reggae classic, which premiered at Cannes but was subsequently suppressed out of fear it would ferment racial tensions. A group of young blacks struggle with discrimination and xenophobia in late-'70s London, bound together by reggae and intent on winning an underground reggae competition.
Only recently rescued and restored, now showing on Criterion channel -- with and without subtitles. I watched with subtitles, though it didn't help much with the Jamaican patois and UK slang throughout. Still, one can deduce what's being discussed easily enough.
Gritty, great soundtrack, and with an incendiary climax. I sense it borders on a masterpiece, though my knowledge of Reggae and Rasta are admittedly deficient. Emotionally powerful in the late going.
Only recently rescued and restored, now showing on Criterion channel -- with and without subtitles. I watched with subtitles, though it didn't help much with the Jamaican patois and UK slang throughout. Still, one can deduce what's being discussed easily enough.
Gritty, great soundtrack, and with an incendiary climax. I sense it borders on a masterpiece, though my knowledge of Reggae and Rasta are admittedly deficient. Emotionally powerful in the late going.