In 1972, reggae musician Jimmy Cliff starred in what would become one of the most significant films to come out of his native country of Jamaica. The politically charged classic returns to theaters this fall, marking the 40th anniversary of its US release.
A trailer for The Harder They Come hit the web, and its footage serves to remind movie goers why the movie lives on. Directed by Perry Henzell, the drama follows a poor, young singer who leaves his village to pursue a music career, a dream he achieves by turning to a glorified life of crime. The low budget film didn’t make much of a splash upon its original release, but has since been regarded as an important work of the era. In addition, the soundtrack album was a huge commercial success that introduced reggae and Cliff to the world. See the film’s trailer and synopsis, courtesy of iTunes, below and head over to the official site for screening info.
Synopsis:
Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff stars as Ivan Martin, an aspiring young singer who leaves his rural village for the capital city of Kingston, Jamaica hoping to make a name for himself. Robbed of his money and possessions his first day in town, he finds work with a self-righteous, bullying preacher and an unscrupulous music mogul who exploits naïve hopefuls. In desperation, the simple country boy turns outlaw, at war with both the police and his rivals in the ganja trade. Ivan’s dream of stardom soon becomes a reality as he rises to the top of the pop charts and the most-wanted lists. This gritty, groundbreaking film brought reggae music to the international stage and made Jimmy Cliff a star worldwide.
The Harder They Come begins a limited theatrical run on Sept. 5th.
Have you seen The Harder They Come? Would you see it again on the big screen?