A multiple-award-winning documentary about Jamaica’s dancehall scene is set to enthrall audiences at the opening of the annual WeBeat festival on June 2 from 7 pm at the St James Amphitheatre. The screening of Hit Me With Music is part of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival and bpTT Community Cinergy series of film screenings, and is presented in association with the St James Community Improvement Committee.
Released in 2011 and directed by Miquel Galofré, Hit Me With Music explores various facets of dancehall culture, including feuds between rival musicians, skin bleaching, and the “daggering” phenomenon. Dancehall pioneers Yellowman and the late Bogle make appearances in the film, as well as more recent stars Elephant Man, Mavado and Vybz Kartel.
The film—which has been screened in North America and Europe—won both the jury and audience awards for best documentary at last year’s film festival. After the screening there will be a Q&A session with the director. Before the film there will be a lime, from 6 pm, when food and drinks will be on sale. Admission is free of charge and open to everyone 16 and over.
WeBeat is a festival that celebrates the rich diversity of cultures and at the same time commemorates the incorporation of St James into the city of Port-of-Spain. The festival runs until June 9, when the Steelband Parade takes place on the Western Main Road, from 7 pm. At a dinner on Friday, at the Lions Civic Centre in Woodbrook, the festival will honour Denyse Plummer, Trinidad Rio (Daniel Brown) and Keith Simpson. For a schedule of events log on to: WeBeat.org.
