The renowned Marley family is hoping that a new biographical film about the legendary musician, whose catchy melodies and socially and spiritually concerned lyrics made reggae mainstream, would help bring his legacy back to life.
“Bob Marley: One Love” Brad Pitt executive produces the film, which is produced by his wife Rita Marley and their kids Ziggy and Cedella. Under the direction of Reinaldo Marcus Green, the director of “King Richard,” British actors Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch take on the task of portraying Bob and Rita Marley to life on television.
- Advertisement -
Ziggy Marley made this observation lately while at the London premiere of the movie, “(It was made) mainly to spread his message more, to put his message into a different medium; film, to reach another generation.”
“One love is something positive out there in the world. That’s what it’s about, the message.”
Born in Jamaica in 1945, Marley became famous with The Wailers for his singles including “No Woman, No Cry,” “Jamming,” and “I Shot the Sheriff.” At age 36, he passed away from cancer in 1981.
As the film begins in Kingston in 1976, Marley is organizing a peace concert as a reaction to extreme political tensions and bloodshed. The artist records the successful album “Exodus” and moves to London after he and Rita both escape an attempted murder. Retrospections provide light on Marley’s early years.
Ben-Adir, who portrayed Barack Obama in “The Comey Rule” and Malcolm X in “One Night in Miami,” was getting ready for his role as Marley on the set of “Barbie,” where he played one of the Kens. The 37-year-old actor claimed that learning Marley’s mannerisms and dialect—the Jamaican patois—was not an easy task.
He remarked, “All of it, the language, the music, finding Bob’s true vulnerability. He was a tough man and he was a gentleman. There were so many colors to him.”
He concluded, “I don’t play music, so I had to learn everything about music. There was a lot to do and so when I was on a break, I just started in the Mojo Dojo Casa.”
