‘Babylon’ premieres: ‘Yardie’ begins at BAM
“Babylon” fi rst released in 1980 in the UK launches here on
March 7.
Caribbean Life, F BQ eb. 22–28, 2019 11
For the fifth consecutive
year, the Brooklyn Academy of
Music will spotlight more than
a few fine films that feature
factual and fictitious aspects
of Caribbean life. From Haiti,
Antigua, Guyana, Dominica,
Trinidad & Tobago, Puerto
Rico, the United Kingdom and
Jamaica, vintage and new documentaries
provide celluloid
testimony to the diversity of
the tropical landscape located
south of the border.
The county platform proudly
announced this year’s Caribbean
Film Series that will
showcase four days of fun-filled
hot and saucy treats to delight
audiences from March 14 to 17.
Prior to the series, a film
first released in 1980 from the
UK launches “Babylon” on
March 7.
Banned here since its release
then by the New York Film
Festival for being too controversial
and even described to
be too “inciteful,” in Europe,
the telling film was critiqued
by The London Times as “One
of the best British made films
for years.”
“It begs no sympathy,
imports no glamour, but transfers
to the screen with powerful
rough-edged vigor a picture
that has never really been seen
before.”
The one-night screening
will also feature a bonus afterscreening
dialogue discussion
with Brinsley Forde, the film’s
lead actor and Dennis Bovell,
the film musical arranger.
Neither are strangers to New
York audiences.
Forde has made numerous
appearances fronting the hit
British, reggae trio known as
Aswad. Along with his colleagues
Forde performed at
the Brooklyn Museum during
the West Indian American
Day Carnival Association’s pre-
Labor Day festivities and other
venues. Throughout the decades
the British / pop / reggae
assembly gained a superlative
reputation winning accolades
for delivering conscious commentary
about Black life in
England. In promotion of their
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numerous albums, the group
with Forde toured Africa and
the world vocalizing a myriad
of tracks and most distinctly
the US crossover hit “Don’t
Turn Around” and “Babylon.”
For the first time in the USA
his performance in the film he
stars titled “Babylon” is finally
getting an American outing.
Music from the soundtrack
has been critically acclaimed
for its hypnotic, unprecedented
and infectious beats and
rhymes.
Anchored by the artistry
of Dennis Bovell, a musician
renowned here for backing dub
poet Linton Kwesi Johnson,
the film gifts a multiplicity of
creative talent. Both Forde and
Bovell will be present for the
question and answer session
following a 95-minute screening.
While “Babylon” promises
an insightful sneak peek to the
series, opening night debuts
“Yardie” the long-awaited film
directed by actor Idris Elba.
Slated to premiere throughout
the USA March 15, BAM
gets first dibs with a March 14
showing to kick-off their 5th
annual Caribbean Film Series.
Making his directorial debut,
Elba’s 2018 film is an adaptation
of Victor Headley’s novel of
the same name set in 70s Kingston,
Jamaica and 80s London,
England.
Once again reggae music
accentuates the dramatic storyline
by adding Grace Jones,
Yellowman, Michigan & Smiley,
Skip Marley and others to
set each scene.
Catch You On The Inside!
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
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