In the cool environs of 10A West King's House Road, Barbara Makeda Blake Hannah announced to a buzzing gathering on Thursday night that her acclaimed novel Joseph: A Rasta Reggae Fable is to be made into a feature film.

Author-filmmaker Barbara Blake Hannah with a copy of her book, Joseph: A Rasta Reggae Fable at the publication party held at 10A West King's House Road in Kingston on Thursday. Blake Hannah announced that a feature film adaptation of the novel will shortly begin production. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

The novel, Joseph, now published in paperback, was also re-displayed alongside Blake-Hannah's newest book: Rastafari: The New Creation (December 2006). Both her books have been published by her own media company, Jamaica Media Productions, but more significantly, Blake Hannah secured a publishing deal with Macmillan Caribbean, one of the premier book publishers in the world, through Novelty Trading. The film Joseph is to be produced by Jamaica Media Productions with Grange as executive producer.

After a Rasta prayer to bless the evening, the formalities soon got underway. Blake Hannah welcomed the guests once more and went right into the announcements.

"It is a great accomplishment for a Jamaican author to be published and to have an international publisher like Macmillan back up your book." she stated to a round of applause. "You know, the greatest party I have been to was the party for The Harder They Come and it was held right here. Perry [Henzell] wrote it here at the offices of Ras Kassa and Perry's children, who have ventured into filmmaking in their father's footsteps - their offices are also here.

"When the book was first published in 1991, the publisher said 'This book is a movie'. And Ginger Knight's Room For Rent got funding and is now a feature film, so let's make a movie - the way Perry Henzell did it."
Joseph is set to feature some major stars of Jamaican entertainment. "The story is told by a woman, the lead role, Ashanti. And the lady to play Ashanti will be Etana," said Blake Hannah.

The reggae singer expressed her pleasure at being offered the role, adding that at the time she received the call, she was just saying to her management that she would like to venture into acting. "I was shocked. I'm still shocked. Thank you for this opportunity.," Ashanti said.
Blake Hannah said that deejay Sizzla will make a cameo appearance, while reggae historian Roger Steffens will play Sam.

"Roger is [one of] the premier reggae archivists and journalists on reggae culture," said Blake Hannah. "Mikey will be played by Lutan Fyah, and also making a cameo appearance is Tarrus Riley."
In endorsing the project, Riley said, "We [are] endorsing the thing. It's a. joy to contribute."

"This will be a Rasta reggae movie," Blake Hannah continued. "We going to hold an order on the production. Not saying that if you are a baldhead you can't step foot on the set. Rasta, baldhead - all are welcome," she laughed. "My son Makonnen will be in charge of the music, through Multikast Entertainment."

Next to be introduced was Jah-bulance, who will play young Mikey in the film, but Blake Hannah was keen to keep the name of the principal actor playing Joseph a secret. He will be revealed, she said, closer to filming time. After Jah-bulance's introduction, Blake Hannah introduced "the executive producer. "We're blessed to have someone with a great deal of experience, who has created three Grammy winners and several movie and television productions - Ms Babsy Grange," said Blake Hannah.

Grange told the audience of her involvement. "I'm not here tonight as a politician, but as a lover of the culture and I am a Rasta at heart," she said. "This was a labour of love, and Barbara Blake Hannah is a tower of strength. She has been my sister for a long time, we moved very closely [when she was in Parliament]; Makonnen is my son, I held him as a baby. And I also held Tarrus as a baby. So I will hold this film in my arms like a baby."

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