Bob Marley Movie

Bob Marley Movie

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Music Movie Paper The film I chose for this project is called “Marley. ” This film is a documentary on the life and times of legendary Reggae artist Bob Marley. The film was released earlier this year on April 20. Marley was directed by Kevin MacDonald. In this film MacDonald takes you from Marley’s childhood to his untimely death. The movie shows you real footage of him and is narrated by those closest to him including his wife Rita Marley and Ziggy Marley and the rest of his children and close friends as they tell his story. There are no acted out scenes in this movie.

Most of the movies footage takes place on the island of Jamaica. The film features a lot of Bob Marley’s legendary music which is called Reggae music. Reggae music was developed in the late 1960’s in the island of Jamaica. The music was a development from Ska and Rocksteady, which are both music genre’s from Jamaica. What makes reggae so special and unique and what separates it from just about any music is the rhythmic accents on the off-beat. When the off-beat hits you’ll hear the sounds of the guitar or piano or both. This is called the skank.

Reggae music’s pattern accents are on the second or fourth beat and combines with the drums emphasis on beat three. Where most music genre’s especially popular music focuses on beat one which is called the “downbeat. ” The way Reggae emphasizes on the third beat creates this very unique and distinct sound on the off beat. Therefore making Reggae music very different than other genres and is what might of made it very popular in the 70’s when Reggae was first established. Some of the basic instruments that are used in Reggae music is the guitar, drums and bass. Music goes ba ba ba ba, reggae music has 3 beats and then you imagine the 4th (Marley 2012). ” The movie starts off in West Africa through its “Door of No Return” this was a journey made by Bob Marley’s ancestors that formed and shaped Marley’s life, what he believed in and his music and brought it all together. Bob Marley was born in the Jamaican village of Nine Mile in 1945. What I learned from the movie that I never knew about him which I thought was pretty interesting was in 1945 when Marley’s mother gave birth to him she was only 16 years old and his father a white male was 65 years old.

Being half black and half white caused some rejection from the black and white communities. However if not for this I think Bob Marley’s life might of turned out different. Marley always felt like an outsider which probably helped him embrace Rastafarianism. This was a lifestyle of personal independence and social defiance and a mission to bring inter-racial brotherhood. Rastafarians typically have a hairstyle called dreadlocks whereas Marley’s states in the film pointing to his hair “This is my identity. ” the main elements that Rastafarians go by is “Love, prosperity, unity, Jah..

Rastafari (Marley 2012). ” This documentary

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not only displays Bob Marley’s music but also shows his effect on social change. “Marley” shows how he used his music to promote freedom, peace and equal rights for all. In 1976 Bob Marley performed the “Smile Jamaica” concert to bring two warring political parties together even after the fact that three days prior he was shot by a politically motivated gunman. Not only did Bob Marley make a important impact on society but he revolutionized Reggae music. Songs like “One Love” and “Jammin” helped bring Reggae music to a global platform.

He is by far the most famous Reggae artist of all time and one of the most popular music artist still to this day. The lesson or the message that I got from the film was not the typical “if you work hard success will happen for you” message that a music documentary would typically have. The message I received was that everyone is equal and living in peace is what makes for a better life. One of his most famous songs “Don’t Worry Be Happy” simply just signifies what life should be about. As Bob states so eloquently “My richness is my life (Marley 2012). However another unfortunate message I got from the movie as well is that never think if you are not susceptible to diseases and sickness. Bob Marley passed away in 1981 from a type of cancer that spread throughout his body. By the time he realized his sickness it was too late due to the fact he hardy ever went to the doctor. One of his closest friends in the movie states that if Bob would have just gotten regular check ups they would have been able to stop the cancer from spreading and he probably would have been alive to this day. The documentary “Marley” was a great film.

It was one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. It gives a great outlook on the life and times of Bob Marley through the good and bad. I agree with the message or messages the film delivers. It was very entertaining and inspiring. It inspired me to look at life a little different and to always think positive. I have always been a fan of Bob Marley’s music but now I am a even bigger fan of his music and the person he was. The movie did a great job at displaying all aspects of Bob Marley’s life and his impact on Reggae music and society.

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