“One love, One heart, Let’s get together and feel alright”
…Robert Nesta Marley,
The king of reggae released those lyrics in 1965 on his debut album release titled The Wailing Wailers and throughout his lifetime and beyond the words of Robert Nesta Bob Marley have resonated as an anthem for progressive movements, unification and committed political commentary.
However, following his 79th birthday anniversary celebrations the legendary song will be identified with romance with a Valentine’s Day world release of a biopic titled “Bob Marley: One Love.”
According to a press release, his film “celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity.”
The Feb. 14 release date coincides with the one day in the year that promotes expressions of love by family members of all ages.
Already Paramount Pictures has been teasing a video trailer to introduce audiences to the project highlighting the character, his life and career of the Rastafarian emerged a global sensation dubbed the first Third World Superstar.
The film compiles a love letter from his daughter Cedella, widow Rita and son David (Ziggy) who together produced and oversaw filming in Jamaica and were also deeply invested in the selection of the cast and characters. Also filmed in London, England Ziggy reportedly said audiences will notice that the film pays homage “in a manner that has never been undertaken before.”
He explained it also delves in unprecedented ways that truly honors his father and will also “entertain, enlighten, uplift and inspire his fans and audiences around the world.”
“The funny thing is that Bob always wanted to make a movie. He loved movies,” he said.
Reportedly he told the Jamaica Observer “He was a movie fane, so he would have enjoyed the process (of making the documentary).
The benefactor of a reggae legacy, Ziggy added that his father and friends favored cowboy flicks and ‘loved the movie world.’
Cedella said the cast is one that displays diversity.
However, she explained that Jamaicans comprise a majority of the characters.
“We have a lot of children of some of the icons – Family Man Junior, (AKA Aston Barrett Jr) is portraying Marley’s bass guitarist father Aston – (Davo, officially named David Kerr is the son of Junior Marvin and the choice to attempt to mimic his famous father).
Naomi Cowan, daughter of Marley emcee Tommy and wife singer Carlene Davis-Cowan reimagines I-Three background singer Marcia Griffiths.
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Gawaine “J-Summa’ Campbell will likely cook up a sumptuous menu depicting Antonio ‘Gilly’ Gilbert, Marley’s chef.
While Sheldon Shepard, a founding member and lead singer of the No-Maddz will make his major film debut playing the role of Neville Garrick, the graphic artist acclaimed for conceptualizing many of Marley’s album covers.
Unfortunately, Garrick died two months ago.
Sevana whose real name is Anna –Share Blake portrays Judy Mowatt, the other I-Three background singer.
Hector Roots Lewis channels drummer Carlton “Carly” Barrett whose talents powered the Wailers Band.
Bunny Wailer’s son, Ras Michael’s and Chinna Smith’s are also featured.
“And so we were very happy that we were able to have at least 98 percent of the cast being Jamaicans,” the eldest offspring of Bob and Rita Marley added.
Most importantly, the family seemed more concerned that their iconic relative “is portrayed in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.”
Directed and written by Reinaldo Marcus Green Terrence Winter, Frank E. Flowers, and Zach Raylin also collaborated to deliver a version of Marley’s meteoric rise to fame Winter and Flowers embellished in story form.
The film stars British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir as Marley, alongside Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley and James Norton as Chris Blackwell..
Focusing on the years 1976 to 1978 when political turmoil reigned on the island, snippets will reveal the rivalry that spilled onto the music scene when Marley was shot in his Kingston home at 56 Hope Road.
And expectedly there will be plenty of music to accentuate the personality who spoke volumes when he recorded “One Love.”
Catch You On The Inside!
