Jamaica is often subject to many stereotypes, most of which are untrue. Marijuana cannot be purchased on every street corner, is not legal and is not used by every Jamaican. Not every Jamaican is a 'Rasta', and not all Jamaican film is bad. There are many respected films to come out of the country, such as Third World Cop and the one we will be discussing, Shottas.
The common denominator among Jamaican films is the raw nature of the composition, a usual characteristic of movies coming from an industry still in its infancy. Yet, the plotline of Shottas supports the earthy tones we are used to seeing in Jamaican film. The story begins with two boys, best friends from their toddler years. They grow up fighting and protecting each other on the streets of Kingston.
Through a series of brazen criminal acts, committed while they are still children, the boys manage to gather enough money for visas to the US. They spend the rest of their child and teenage years hustling in Miami, Florida before one of them is deported back to Jamaica. The film goes on to chronicle the lives of the two friends in a life of organized crime that spans between Jamaica and the US.
The cast of Shottas is spotted with many people known for their creative talent. For example, Paul Campbell plays the part of Mad Max in the film, and is a very well-known Jamaican actor. He has taken roles on Broadway, in London, and on several American television crime series. Wyclef Jean plays the role of Richie in Shottas, but is known for his musical talents. Born in Haiti, Wyclef Jean moved to New York at a young age and got into music. He is most well-known for his solo work and the work that he did with the Fugees.
The soundtrack of Shottas is filled with both classic and modern reggae artists, as well as dancehall, ska and alternative hip-hop. The official release date of the film was scheduled for 2002, yet long before then an unfinished bootleg of Shottas was distributed and garnered a huge cult following. Jamaican diaspora looked to the film as a reminder of their homeland; the sights, the sounds, the foods and of course the music.
Shottas is not a film for the faint of heart, the squeamish or those who lack a sense of adventure. It is a gritty crime film set in the tropical paradise that is Jamaica, which contains an undercurrent of soulful yearning through its music. The perseverance of the human spirit is evident in Shottas, Jamaican style.
The common denominator among Jamaican films is the raw nature of the composition, a usual characteristic of movies coming from an industry still in its infancy. Yet, the plotline of Shottas supports the earthy tones we are used to seeing in Jamaican film. The story begins with two boys, best friends from their toddler years. They grow up fighting and protecting each other on the streets of Kingston.
Through a series of brazen criminal acts, committed while they are still children, the boys manage to gather enough money for visas to the US. They spend the rest of their child and teenage years hustling in Miami, Florida before one of them is deported back to Jamaica. The film goes on to chronicle the lives of the two friends in a life of organized crime that spans between Jamaica and the US.
The cast of Shottas is spotted with many people known for their creative talent. For example, Paul Campbell plays the part of Mad Max in the film, and is a very well-known Jamaican actor. He has taken roles on Broadway, in London, and on several American television crime series. Wyclef Jean plays the role of Richie in Shottas, but is known for his musical talents. Born in Haiti, Wyclef Jean moved to New York at a young age and got into music. He is most well-known for his solo work and the work that he did with the Fugees.
The soundtrack of Shottas is filled with both classic and modern reggae artists, as well as dancehall, ska and alternative hip-hop. The official release date of the film was scheduled for 2002, yet long before then an unfinished bootleg of Shottas was distributed and garnered a huge cult following. Jamaican diaspora looked to the film as a reminder of their homeland; the sights, the sounds, the foods and of course the music.
Shottas is not a film for the faint of heart, the squeamish or those who lack a sense of adventure. It is a gritty crime film set in the tropical paradise that is Jamaica, which contains an undercurrent of soulful yearning through its music. The perseverance of the human spirit is evident in Shottas, Jamaican style.
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