The First Rasta / La Premiere Rasta
Hélène Lee, Christophe Farnarier:
The First Rasta / La Premiere Rasta (France, 2011)
90 min. - France, English - English subtitles
The First Rasta is a recent French documentary that tells the story of Leonard Percival Howell, the first Rastafarian. In the early 20th century, Howell set sail to the seven seas as a seaman. During his journey, he sampled ideologies from anarchism to bolshevism and from Garvey to psychoanalysis until returning to Jamaica enlightened. When he returned home in 1939, “Gong” Howell set up the Pinnacle, the first Rastafarian community.
The Pinnacle and Howell’s ideas had an immense influence on the lifestyle and religions of both Jamaica and the world. Alongside Marcus Garvey and Haile Selassie’s visit to Jamaica, the Pinnacle formed the basis for Rastafarianism. When Howell formed the community, the memories of the slave ships still remained strong; a black person was considered only half a man. Despite this adversity, Howell managed, through his strong and inspiring leadership, to create a culture for these oppressed people. A culture that has since resonated to all corners of the world.
The First Rasta is a movie about Leonard Howell, but it is also an excellent documentary about the roots of reggae. The Soundtrack includes reggae’s seminal songs and characters from the pioneer producer Bunny Lee to Max Romeo and from The Abyssinians’ Satta Massagana to Count Ossie’s drums. The movie is based on French journalist Hélène Lee’s thorough biography of Leonard Howell. Rokumentti hosts the Finnish premier of this documentary on its current tour of European and North American film festivals.
Check out also:
» George Scott: Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul
» Don McGlynn, Joe Lauro: Rejoice and Shout
» Miquel GalofrĂ©: Hit Me With Music
» George Scott: Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul
» Don McGlynn, Joe Lauro: Rejoice and Shout
» Miquel GalofrĂ©: Hit Me With Music
To 17.11.2011 17:00 at Tapio 3
Su 20.11.2011 15:30 at Tapio 4
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