Kingston, Jamaica; The title of the Chris Browne’s eagerly anticipated film Ghett’a Life is a call to action. The film speaks to the crippling nature of the garrison politics practiced in ghettoes across the cityscape and suggests that Jamaica must move beyond this in order to “get a life” and truly tap into our potential.
That fact was not lost on the audience invited to a recent screening of the film at the Palace Cineplex, Sovereign Centre Kingston. The screening, targeting many of the nation’s decision makers including business people, academics and social workers, was hosted by newspaper mogul Oliver Clarke, who also took on the role of moderator for the discussions which followed the screening.
“Certainly when I saw the movie it made me think of the tragedy that exists in the inner city communities,” Mr. Clarke said when opening the discussion. The film’s social importance is that it provides an accurate reflection of the power of garrison politics to stymie potential specifically in your youth. In Ghett’a Life, young Derrick (Kevoy Burton) has to struggle against his father (Carl Davis) who is entrenched in partisan politics and his area don (Christopher McFarlane) in order to attempt to represent his country on the national boxing team and place country over (political) party.
“All of us who live here know these issues,” said university lecturer Damien King. Dr. King noted that what we should therefore pay keen attention to is film’s ability to communicate to a wide audience. “It’s important for us to understand the power of film to tell that story well,” he said. Indeed, several members of the audience pointed to the need for the film to be seen by all Jamaicans especially the youth.
“It’s a rough story,” declared Earl Jarrett. He noted however that the movie does offer one of the solutions to the stifling cycle of violence. “The real story,” he said, “what we need to do post the movie, is the impact of sports on these communities.” Mr. Jarrett therefore urged the private sector to make greater investments in sports as a strategic intervention against violence.
Milton Samuda confessed to having mixed feelings about the impact of the film. Mr. Samuda pointed to the complicity of the upper classes in funding political violence. He explained that while many would be sufficiently moved to take action to write a few cheques to the right causes, when the next elections arrive many may “wittingly or unwittingly” continue to support the systems which the film speaks about.
It was also noted that the political directorate needed to be taken to task for their role in perpetuating this cycle. Karen Hilliard of USAID noted that Ghett’a Life could be used as a tool to hold political leadership on both sides to a higher level of responsibility. TVJ’s General Manager Kay Osbourne extended this point by highlighting the power structures implied in the film. “What is the film saying about power in our country and what do we do about it?” she asked her fellow audience members.
Earl Witter noted that the issues illustrated in Ghett’a Life reaches far beyond class lines crossing over from the ghettoes and gullies outlined in the film. “We’re talking about one Jamaica,” Mr. Witter said, “not uptown and downtown.”
The discussion highlighted that Ghett’a Life has the potential to be more than a box-office smash and if used properly can become a tool for social change. It was noted, that while the film, which is Rated PG16, does have violent content; it is far more useful than the fantasy based violence often depicted in summer blockbusters.
“I wanted to make a film about hope,” confessed Browne, the film’s writer, director, and producer and if the result of the screening is anything to go by, Ghett’a Life, slated to premiere on July 29, 2011, may do far more than inspire hope. It may well inspire social action.
The highly anticipated Ghett’a Life opens in theatres island-wide this Friday, July 29.
The Making: Part 1
The Making: Part 2
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