Dr Warren Blake, former President of the Athletics Administrative Association recalls growing up in Trench Town and being around the late reggae icon Bob Marley.

“I grew up on Bob because I’m a product of Trench Town and Bob was down at 9th Street. And before Bob became famous he used to come to a bar in front of my house and sing. And a lot of artistes used to come to that bar, so it was like a dancehall,” said Blake.

He continued, “I really know Bob’s history and it’s a little different. I suppose everything cannot be said in a movie. But I think it was good and it brought out good aspects of Jamaican culture and it will definitely put Jamaica a little more on the world stage.”

Blake was among several clients of investment firm Barita Investments, who were on Thursday night treated to a private screening of the
Bob Marley: One Love biopic, which is currently number one at the North American Box Office.

The screening took place at the Palace Cinema in the Sovereign Centre, Liguanea.

According to Blake, Barita’s engagement with its clients is important.

“I think its important for Barita to engage with their clients. I mean, Bob is larger than life,” he said.

The film, which runs a little over 1 hour and 40 minutes, chronicles Marley’s life during the period 1976-1978. There were flashbacks of his life during the 1960s in the early days of his career.

Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as an adult Bob and Lashana Lynch as an adult Rita Marley, it was shot in sections of London and Jamaica. Reports indicate that more than 2,000 Jamaicans were employed on the project.

Safia Cooper, Managing Director, Property and Leisure, at Pulse Investments, offered: “This is really a real treat, especially since we’re celebrating Reggae Month. And this film is really close to my heart because my aunt worked on the film, and she has had an entire life around the Marleys. We really had a great time here tonight and the movie is amazing. I think every Jamaican should watch it. It’s a massive part of our history.”

She shared the standout moment for her in the film.

“I think the treatment of Rita. The role that she played was almost like lead. She carried the story with Bob in a very intrinsic way, so that relationship and how she propelled him, is what I especially liked about the movie,” Cooper shared.

Senior vice-president, sales & service, at Barita, Dave Dixon, expressed gratitude to the company’s valued clients, stating: “It’s an opportunity to honour our clients and express our gratitude for their confidence in us. I personally love Bob’s music and him being such an icon. And Barita, being a home-grown company with over 45 years in Jamaica, immediately when I saw what was happening around the movie, I said I’d definitely love to share this moment with some of our valued clients as a way to kick-start this year’s client engagement activities.

“So it was really fitting in terms of the legacy of Bob, how iconic it is, the culture of Jamaica, the history of Barita, and the talented staff. Daily we are making money for people, but at the end of the day, we have to come together and enjoy the culture together. And we wouldn’t want to share this moment with nobody else but our clients.”

Added Dixon: “For me, Bob spoke positively about not doing something for himself but doing it for the people and having that long-term vision to know that he lived and spoke so many things that you’re seeing happening now is just awesome. It’s a positive message of never giving up.”