The World of Movies: Rockers
Written by Rachael Crawley
The World of Movies is a series that explores global cinema, drawing on films from many countries, industries and eras. This week’s movie shows us Kingston, Jamaica, in the 1970s.
May contain spoilers.
Originally a documentary, Rockers (Theodorous Bafaloukos, 1978) is a narrative film driven by music, featuring some of the era’s top reggae artists as themselves. The result is an adventure that introduces us to a neighbourhood in Kingston, the musicians who live there, and their connection as a community – all, of course, with the backing of an incredible soundtrack.
Musician Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace (as himself) supports his family by selling records around town, in between his own performances. He has recently saved enough money to buy a motorbike, giving him greater mobility and better business. Unfortunately, the bike is soon stolen – and to make matters worse, the thieves are local gangsters. Horsemouth and his friends decide to get the bike back. What starts as a simple recovery becomes a larger act of justice, as the community fights back against a group of people who have exploited them. A sort of reverse heist follows, all led by the musicians, who are fed up with the dishonesty of the mob.
It’s not hard to imagine this movie as a documentary – it already blurs the line. The cast, unsurprisingly, seem very natural together, and though their scenes are fictional (and mostly unscripted, according to star Kiddus-I), it does seem like we are simply watching their daily lives. Horsemouth’s wife is played by his real-life partner. Many of the cast are friends offscreen. Other roles are non-actors, who incorporate aspects of their real lives into their characters. Rockers doesn’t mind taking a slow pace, as large stretches of the film follow the protagonist around town. While the story of the motorbike provides enough plot to take Horsemouth to different places, the movie is much more focused on its location and character-stars, and spends many scenes simply watching the world go by. (It is helped by some beautiful location footage.) Plot similarities to Bicycle Thieves aside, Rockers has a lot in common with neorealism.
Rockers.
Above all, this movie is really enjoyable. Its natural style creates a laid-back charm, with a good amount of humour from the cast. The social commentary is an important part of the film, but does not overwhelm it. The characters are likeable (but realistically flawed). Their relationships are believable. You really want to see them win the day and defeat the mobsters. And the music! Virtually every moment has music playing, from casual performances on the street to recording sessions to the movie’s score. There are several full performances, but in between, it is a constant presence that really ties the film together. As a newcomer to reggae, I appreciated the range of styles and musicians featured.
Rockers is a detailed look at a particular time and place. Its portrayal of the relationships between the musicians and their neighbours is funny and sincere, helped by techniques that add to its sense of authenticity. Entertaining, informative, and a musical treat, viewers will find that this movie can be enjoyed from multiple angles.
Rachael Crawley holds a Master's Degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, and has worked with film in Canada and in Europe. She adores language and cinema, and how these subjects interact with each other.