Jamaican Film & Literature

1. Who was your favorite character (s) from the film? Why? My favorite character of the film is Derrik because he tries to reach his goal without taking part in the country's political problems. He never shows hatred towards those he is supposed to hate and always seems at peace with everyone. He does not hesitate to risk his life for one of them because he follows his own philosophy of life and not the one that politics and his father want to impose on him. 2. How does the film compare to the other Jamaican films from the 70s? (Besides visual effects, think about the plot and character development). I think it was my favorite movie compared to the ones we saw in class. For me the story and the characters were much more "worked on" and their personality, their feelings seemed more real. I find that at times we could really feel what they were feeling and we could understand the dilemmas they were facing. 3. How are woman portrayed in this film? Is it a little

1.  Who is your favorite character from the story and what kind of background do they come from? Why? (Use examples from Michelle Cliff's essay, If I Could Write This in Fire, I Would Write This in Fire ) My favorite character is Larissa, from the  black working-class background,  because she represents the kind of values I really love, such as family values, modesty or discretion. I was really touched and sad for her, when Lorraine explained the day she left to England, and she didn't even wait for the gift of Larissa. Larissa was so dedicated to her family, and to Lorraine, even if most of the time it was a "one way relationship". 2. Why do you think Lorraine’s mother mocks the workers that want independence from England? I think it is because for her, it seems so impossible that they could have the same "free-life" as her. Maybe because she was raised with the idea her skin, and the skin of her family, lighter, would mean they are better than

1. How does Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace from  Rockers  compare to Ivan Martin fro m The Harder They Come? Compared to Ivan Martin from the first movie, Horsemouth is a real hero, and the spectator can admire him. For me, the way he acts in the movie is ethic, and he always acts "well" according to his values. Of course he steals from people, but in order to give what he steals to those who really are in the need. I totally agree with his actions, while I had several doubts about those of Ivan.  2. What is your favorite scene from the film? Why? My favorite scene is the end of the movie, when everything has been stolen and given to the citizens. We can see the happiness on the faces of people, and we can also imagine what will be the reaction of those who has been stolen. It is a very funny way to annoy the rich people, and to balance the advantages within the society. 3.  Did you like/dislike the film? Why/Why Not? I really liked it, because afterw

1. In general, what did you like and dislike about the film? I think that what I liked was also what I disliked the most about this film.  I really enjoyed watching a movie which can reveal such kind of unfair societies. What I mean about unfair society is or example, pushing people doing bad things, and making bad choices only to survive, despite of their own will. I feel it is important to show the world how things are going on in several countries, and how it was before, because we have to learn from our mistakes, and be critics about what could happen. It is good for people to know the deviations from a society, not to repeat the same mistakes in the future. This is also linked to what I disliked in the film, because when I watched it I felt kind of embarrassed for the characters, especially Ivan. It was very frustrating, I could feel what he felt, and I felt so powerless for him. So, for me, the exposure of the Jamaican society in the film is positive because it i