Marcus Mosiah Garvey, undeniably the Caribbean’s most acclaimed cultural icon will be celebrated cinematically when his life story is featured on the big-screen next year.
Long overdue, a historic biopic about the Jamaica-born visionary is coming to theaters in a few months and already the buzz is that audience that revered the Pan-African advocate will likely embrace this feature.
Actor Delroy Lindo was cast to play the lead role.
With little or no controversy surrounding the choice, Lindo may prove a worthy thespian to depict the Black hero due to his background and experience.
Born to Jamaican parents in Lewisham, England, the 63-year-old also grew up in the United Kingdom.
When he became a teenager, his mother, a nurse, migrated to Toronto in Canada.
Subsequently, they moved to the United States and it was probably living in California that nurtured an ambition to act.
Lindo studied acting and graduated from the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. At age 27, after fulfilling his academic priority he landed his first film role in “More American Graffiti” where he portrayed an Army sergeant.
Probably best known for his portrayal of the bipolar numbers boss West Indian Archie in Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” (1992) Lindo has since endeared audiences with his transformational characterizations in various Hollywood films — “Gone in 60 Seconds,” “Romeo Must Die,” “Get Shorty” and many more.
Garvey is Jamaica’s first national hero.
He was a political leader, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, orator, staunch proponent of Black Nationalism and Pan Africanism movements.
The nationalist who packed Madison Square Garden to capacity in 1920; mobilized Harlem residents, captivated audiences and influenced investments from supporters in more than 40 countries has been a topical individual worthy of exploring onscreen.
Thousands backed his proposal of a Black Star Shipping Line before the US investigated and prosecuted him on charges of tax fraud.
Garvey allegedly inspired the red, black and green banner that became the Black liberation colors and flag.
He inspired the Rastafarian movement saying “Look to the east for a king,” a message that resonated with hundreds (and since then thousands) to hail Ras Tafari Makonnen AKA Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia.
He was a proponent of independence and Black economics and a solid believer in a “One God, One Aim, One Destiny”philosophy of uniting Blacks throughout the globe.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born Aug. 17, 1887 in St. Ann’s, Jamaica.
He died in England, 1940 and listed among the greatest Africans of the 19th and 20th Centuries.
While history books documented Garvey’s path from a humble Jamaican to iconic global status, writer Jodi Sallinder will offer a new dimension to the Black liberation advocate whose organizational ability and charismatic personality, outspokenness and visionary perspective conquered one of the most established Black organizations known as the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).
“What many find astonishing beyond measure is his forward thinking as well as mobilization abilities that have shown the way to so many engaged in struggle to uplift African people worldwide,” a spokesperson for the film said.
Other cast members announced include: Kevin Navayne and Loretta Davis.
The producer is Peter Petrich and the film will be directed by Steven Anderson.
