Natalie Thompson, line producer for the Bob Marley: One Love movie, is relieved that finally there is serious money being committed for the development of Jamaica’s film industry. Thompson has been local production manager for top films including How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Cool Runnings, and more recently the latest James Bond movie No Time to Die.

“This industry has been fighting for funding for over 30 years,” said Thompson, founder and CEO of the 50-year-strong Cinecom Productions. “Marley [movie] made them aware of the industry’s potential, after successive governments wouldn’t even look. I hope that this billion-dollar fund will be used for equity, not loans. They should be investing in the development of the industry. It is difficult for us to tell our stories out of our own personal pockets.”

She said Lashana Lynch, who is of Jamaican parentage and was the Bond lady in
No Time to Die, played Rita Marley in the Marley film. Lynch said people are discovering “how shootable Jamaica is” (in the best meaning possible).

In responding to the criticism that Jamaicans were not given enough roles in the film, Thompson said most of the characters were Jamaican.

Lynch, all the band members were Jamaicans, including the sons of original band members Aston “Familyman” Barrett (who sadly passed away last Saturday) and Junior Marvin. Young Bob Marley was played by Quan Henriques, cousin of Sean Paul.

She said that Bob Marley’s character was complex and had to be played by a professional actor. The accomplished Kingsley Ben-Adir (
Barbie, One Night In Miami, Peaky Blinders) related that it took him six months to infuse the Marley majesty into his craft. He was coached by Fae Ellington in dialect and had to be trained by a choreographer to copy Marley’s unrehearsed moves.

Thompson managed the crew on the Jamaica locations in Kingston, Bull Bay and Irish Town. She said, on any given day, 300 Jamaicans were involved — decorators, wardrobe designers, construction workers, drivers moving around convoys of trucks, buses and trailers.

The Hope Road house in which Bob lived was recreated on Lady Musgrave Road as there had been too many alterations to the original location. The house was taken down after the shoot. Similarly, the house in which the retired James Bond lived in
No Time To Die, had been built near a beach in rural Jamaica and was removed afterwards. This is the level of investment which provides significant employment for Jamaicans from the film industry.

Thompson made it clear that the road closures for the day of the première were not done for Prince Harry and wife Meghan, but in fact for the large outdoor concert hosted by Marley’s children, adjacent to the Carib cineplex. For such a concert to not have a suitable venue is seen by her as a major shortcoming for Jamaica’s arts and culture: “There is no country in the world with the cultural brand the size of Jamaica which does not have a cultural centre.” We both agreed that, with all their charm, neither Little Theatre nor Ward Theatre can serve this purpose.

Thompson said the saddest moment during the shoot was the death of Colin Smikle, location manager, who had a heart attack. She said Smikle guided her crew through Trench Town for this and a previous movie, advising them to “look after the people and not certain others”. They filmed for three weeks there and at no time felt threatened. Plans are to build an auditorium at Trench Town Primary named in Smikle’s honour.

She said Bob’s close friend Neville Garrick (my colleague from
Jamaica Daily News days) was on the set and right up to the wrap and she had no idea how ill he was. Garrick had related to me his tour in Ethiopia with Bob, describing their royal welcome. Garrick’s album cover designs called out Bob’s genius and protest. It was sadly beautiful to see that his family, including Collette Garrick and their daughter Naomi, were there at the première of the film that would never have had the authenticity without his guidance.

As a Convent of Mercy ‘Alpha’ alumnae, I am proud of our classmate Natalie Thompson, who clearly took to heart the instructions of our legendary Principal Sister Mary Bernadette Little to “Think big” and is now inspiring the authorities to do likewise.

My husband, Hubie Chin, was the engineer at record manufacturer and distributor Total Sounds in those days, interacting with both Bob and Rita Marley as he pressed
Catch A Fire, Burnin, Rastaman Vibrations, Natty Dread, Exodus, and Babylon by Bus. He has always commented on Bob’s ebullience and Rita’s ladylike manner. I remember the day Hubie brought home a single and said his boss, Herman McDonald, wanted my opinion (I was then
Daily News theatre reviewer), since Bob wanted a sizeable advance. When I listened I said: “Tell Mr Mac to give him double!” The single was
Rat Race, and it went to the top of the charts and stayed there for many weeks. It is cool to have a bit of Marley history in our family.

Step up and vote

With local government elections announced for Monday, February 26, it is time again to exercise our franchise in one of the world’s strongest democracies. Indeed, Jamaica’s directors of elections and electoral commissioners have been called on to assist in planning and monitoring elections for several countries over the past 50 years.

Jamaica was granted full adult suffrage on November 20, 1944. The new system extended voting rights to adults regardless of race, sex, or social class. It was not until the passing of the Voting Rights Act in the US in 1965 that these criteria obtained there.

For those who believe their one vote will not count, history is replete with close shaves. So, whomever your choice may be, please make the effort to cast your vote.

Farewell, Alan Magnus

Jamaica was rocked by news of the passing of our beloved media legend Alan “Teddy” Magnus, who passed away last Friday. My column in April 2017 that recalled the retirement party held for him after 46 years as our “Good Morning Man” is excerpted below.

“We waxed nostalgic at the farewell event for Jamaica’s undisputed King of Morning Radio, Alan “Teddy” Magnus. [The late] Dorraine Samuels recalled their antics on air and Paula Anne Porter registered her respect for this incomparable radio man.

“RJR Group CEO Gary Allen noted the discipline of the man, a dependable early bird, and his brilliance, being the first announcer to start playing music digitally, even before his younger colleagues.

“It takes a generous heart to know that, whatever the environment, people need to know that life does indeed have a bright side to strengthen their coping skills. We are all in Alan Magnus’s debt for his gentle humour, a comfort zone in which we could prepare for whatever the day would bring.”

Our condolence to his beloved daughter Kellie, first wife Valerie, and other family members. May his joyful soul rest in peace.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is founder and CEO of PROComm, PRODEV and CCRP. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or
lowriechin@aim.com.