A film that needs no introduction to anyone with so much as the slightest interest in reggae or Jamaican culture, The Harder They Come celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Jimmy Cliff brings a knockout soundtrack and charisma aplenty to this classic crime drama. Besides its credentials as an explosive action thriller with a killer soundtrack, it is universally credited with introducing reggae and the roots movement to the world as a serious cultural proposition. Perry Henzell’s unfiltered portrait of Jamaica’s music industry, the emerging Rasta faith and how so many Jamaicans lived, both in the town and the country, redefined a genre of music, giving it context and weight. Five decades on, that excitement and sense of discovery remain undimmed.
To complement the film series, renowned photographer David Corio, famous for his iconic images of the jazz, reggae, rock, soul, hip hop, and blues scenes, has curated a special selection of photographs especially for Hackney Picturehouse. These works commemorate the 40th anniversary of the British Reggae Artist Famine Appeal (BRAFA), a landmark event known as Hackney’s own Live Aid in 1986.
Produced in partnership with Hackney Art Week.
Age group: 15+
Ticket price: £9.35 (includes booking fee)
Access information: This is an accessible venue.
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Image credit: The Harder They Come (1972)