| Rockers | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Theodoros Bafaloukos |
| Written by | Theodoros Bafaloukos |
| Produced by | Patrick Hulsey |
| Starring | Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace |
| Cinematography | Peter Sova |
| Edited by | Susan Steinberg |
Production company | Rockers Film Corporation |
| Distributed by | New Yorker Films Succéfilm |
Release date |
|
Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | Jamaica |
| Languages | English Jamaican Patois |
| Budget | JA$500,000 |
Rockers is a 1978 Jamaican film by Theodoros Bafaloukos. Several popular reggae artists star in the movie, including Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs, Big Youth, Dillinger, Robbie Shakespeare, and Jacob Miller.[1]
Rockers was originally intended to be a documentary but blossomed into a full-length feature showing the reggae culture at its peak.[1] The film features authentic culture, characters and mannerisms. The main rocker Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, for example, is shown living with his actual wife and kids and in his own home.[2]
The recording studios shown are the famous Harry J Studios and Channel One Studios,[3] where many roots reggae artists recorded during the 1970s including Bob Marley. The film includes Kiddus I's recording of "Graduation In Zion" at Harry J's, which he happened to be recording when Bafaloukos visited the studio[1] and a scene where Robbie arranges a session for the protagonist at Channel One. It also features Randy's Record Mart, the largest Jamaican music store of its time, and Joe Gibbs Record Manufacturing Co.
With a budget of JA$500,000 (about $40,000[4]), Rockers was completed in two months. The film premiered at the 1978 San Francisco Film Festival and had a theatrical release in the US in 1980.[1]
- ^ a b c d Campbell, Howard (17 August 2013). "Still Rocking at 35". Jamaica Observer.
- ^ Maslin, Janet (27 June 1980). "'Rockers' Explores the Hard World of Jamaican Reggae". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
PopMwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "1978 JMD to USD".