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Songs Of Redemption
Songs Of Redemption
New movie about music in Jamaican prison.
SONGS OF REDEMPTION was filmed in the General Penitentiary in Kingston, Jamaica, demonstrating the testimony of prisoners who find redemption through the creation and performance of reggae music.
Executive Producer: Fernando Garcia Guereta, CEO Nice Time Productions
Directors: Amanda Sans, Miguel Galofre
"Where there's life, there's hope” speaks to the essence of personal faith. For those who have lost their way, hope is essential in repairing the human spirit. Without it, one feels empty, powerless and a loss of self-worth. Those who experience a loss of freedom, such as prison inmates, find that hope is critical to maintaining mental endurance. Under normal conditions, prisoners often experience a spiraling depression and lose opportunity to redeem themselves from the reality of the situation.
"Songs of Redemption" an inspiring documentary filmed in the General Penitentiary in Kingston, Jamaica, gives testimony to the reinvention of life purpose through the application of creative skills. The underlying messages artfully captured by ‘Nando’ Guereta, and film crew show in true Jamaican style how cultural intervention and reggae music, can change deadly behaviors and redirect them into a positive movement of constructive thinking. In addition, the potential redemption of the prison inmate shows infectious influence on a collective group of people that includes the wardens and prison staff.
Redemption is the result of the act of forgiveness for a past wrong. With prisoners, the ability to experience self-worth can lead to healing even from societal defects such as drugs, poverty and abuse. Music is one channel for creative release that has shown potential to penetrate deep into the psychological abyss, healing and inspiring personal forgiveness and reform. The film illustrates that the creation of music can be used as an intervention to promote rehabilitation.
“Songs of Redemption” reveals a stream of consciousness expressed by General Penitentiary prisoners incarcerated for crimes ranging from 'illegal possession of firearm’ to ‘murder.' The prison, once a concrete holding area for African slaves, is devoid of basic human necessities and reflects a reality of unimaginable consequence. Through the compassionate vision of Superintendent Leroy Fairweather, prison staff are guided to view inmates as human beings whose lives can be restored to constructive purpose. What was once a violent environment becomes a thriving culture of lyrical and musical genious. Combined with the efforts of Social Activist, Carla Gullotta, programs were initiated to support continuing education such as music production, computer technology, welding and other skill based opportunities.
Through the creation of reggae music and dub poetry, the inmates tell their story and direct potent pleas to the lost youth of the garrisons and their parents. As one inmate clearly states, redemption comes when the criminal moves from a very dark hopeless place into the light, the light of life and forgiveness.
Reggae music, and in particular Bob Marley's lyrically potent prophecies, dramatically impacted a global psyche promoting One Love and universal healing. Bob's international influence and ongoing legacy leaves no doubt that reggae music can be a critical tool of rehabilitation, mending the broken hearts of humanity and influencing a young confused generation to a constructive path of self-improvement. Empowerment begins when one is not continuously judged by the worst mistake ever made and is given the opportunity to be seen as talent expressing the victory of good over evil.
Songs Of Redemption will be screened this month at Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival and in Kingston for the Reggae Month.
Read comments (2)
| Posted by Cindy Davis-Stephens on 02.11.2013 | |
| Truly inspiring program as reflected in this powerful article! | |
| Posted by cristina Carneiro de Mendonca Eastwood on 02.15.2013 | |
| Is there any way I can become a volunteer for this project.? I have my own minute charity Ephemeral Brazil and I am fund raising for Young Women in Conflict withthe Law in a jail in Rio Reconciliation will be through fashion and the arts which is my forte. Let me know how I can help and learn. Cristina. | |
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