Published: 26 August 2010
by DAN CARRIER

THERE was a long run of great films based in Jamaica in the 1970s, from The Harder They Come through to Countryman.  Out this week, “mumblecore” offering Wah Do Dem draws on such movies as inspiration, and even features Rastafarian prophet Carl Bradshaw, who was in Harder They Come nearly 40 years ago. 

Young Brooklyn-based musician Max (Sean Bones) has won the trip of a lifetime – a cruise for two around the Caribbean. But his lady Willow (Norah Jones) dumps him just before departure, leaving him to head off on the holiday alone. Max gets in a tizzy when they dock in Jamaica: missing the cruise as it departs, he finds himself at a full-moon celebration and hanging out with some very cool Rastas. 

Also popping up is the legendary reggae band The Congos. With a soundtrack that will keep you smiling as the film mumbles its way through a scatty script, this is a fun, occasionally hilarious, often insightful offering of a young person’s odyssey. If you like reggae, go and check this out.

Meanwhile, the BFI are running a two-month tribute to British actress and Hollywood star Deborah Kerr. Starting on September 1, the season includes some of her finest performances including the Cary Grant vehicle An Affair To Remember and Heaven Knows, Mr Allison, in which she starred opposite Robert Mitchum. 

See www.bfi.org for more information.