AMERICAN actor Bokeem Woodbine is currently in Jamaica scouting actors for his new film, and tracing his roots.

Woodbine, 39, who has starred in movies such as Dead Presidents, Jason’s Lyric and the Oscar-winning Ray, is also promoting his Woodbine Entertainment Product, a company based in Ontario, Canada.

“I was expecting to have some fun, but man, there’s an energy; there’s something about driving in the hills of Jamaica — it’s like a spiritual experience,” the actor told the Jamaica Observer.

On the business side, he is looking to book actors for Balance — a film scripted by EZ-Mac Records CEO Kamakazi.

“I don’t want to give away much of the script, but it will be a film like no other. Balance surrounds the story of a hustler who earns the respect of his community as he happens to be a non-violent, decent guy,” Woodbine explained.

He said his company’s goal is to make low-budget films with a global perspective. He had glowing words for Canada’s film industry and the incentives it offers budding film-makers.

“You get a 30 per cent tax break on all film production; it’s the up-and-coming environment for film,” he said.

He has already started building a Jamaican connection with the Reggae Film Festival’s Barbara Blake Hannah and her son Makonnen, who will produce tracks for Woodbine’s first album.

Woodbine says he recently discovered he has Jamaican roots.

“I knew my dad’s people came from Panama, but I discovered my greatgrandfather was a Jamaican man named Charles Woodbine. He went to Panama and [that’s where] that side of my family began,” he said.

“I came to Jamaica primarily for business, but it’s great to get in touch with my roots.”