Jamaica to Establish Digital Reggae Film Archive ~ Minister

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s Culture Minister Olivia Grange says a digital reggae film archive will be established in an effort to preserve the Caribbean nation’s cultural heritage and reggae history on film.

Grange made the announcement at the recent screening of the film “Legends of Ska”.

“The film side of reggae doesn’t get mentioned that often and this is mainly due to the fact there is very little early footage which is easily accessible of the founding reggae musicians,” Grange explained.

“Most of the footage that does exist is scattered across the globe in archives and private collections and is often difficult and costly to access.

“A music as important as reggae needs to have its film history documented and preserved for future generations so that they can appreciate and have a good understanding of the music and the people who created it.”

‘IMPORTANCE’

Grange also said that several reggae legends have never been seen on film.

“Some people will know their music but will have only ever seen photos of the artist,” she said. “So to have moving images of them at work is of great importance.”

Grange explained that the database will preserve the hundreds of documentaries, feature films and videos to enable study and research, as well as viewing of films that record Jamaica’s reggae music history.  

More than 200 films collected during the staging of the Reggae Film Festival between 2008 and 2013 will be donated by festival organizer Barbara Blake-Hannah to begin the database. Those will be added to films from Reggae Films United Kingdom archivist Peter Gittins.

Grange said her intention is that “one day people will be able to come into the National Library of Jamaica and type in the name of any reggae practitioner and be able to view a long list of all the films that exist of that particular artiste/musician to learn from, to teach about and to spread Jamaica’s musical gift to the world.”