RiseUp
Concise and compact, this award-winning doco doesn't try to embrace the whole of the current Jamaican music scene, but zeroes in on three artists attempting to break out and break through. It captures the polar opposites of music and life in Kingston and in so doing tells a dramatic tale of struggle and triumph.
The film follows the extraordinarily gifted young singer and rural-living Kemoy, the Ghetto-dwelling and success-hungry "Turbulance," and "Ice", a rich boy from the right side of the tracks. Over a period of years, their stories intertwine and unfold in the most interesting of ways. Told with great personality and with real determination, we experience the three very different paths of these very different artists.
What's interesting here is the way in which each story unfolds with each artist starting from a different point and the equal parts of indulgence, accident and design that apply to each. As a metaphor for the music environment the film works very well, but in the high stakes game of survival, there's a real sense of urgency and conflict in these very different environments.
This excellent documentary features appearances and music from Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, and the streets and dwellings of Kingston.
Best Music Doc - Silverdocs
Official Selection - Hot Docs
Screens with the music video
Black Culture from Secret Masters, featuring Tippa Irie.
