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Author: Daniel (---.dsl.mindspring.com) Date: 10-22-09 09:38 I had the good fortune of attending a "private" screening of Holding On To Jah at the Mezzanine last night. There were probably about 150 others there to see this new documentary that examines the development of the livity of Rastafari. Music, Interviews of Jamaican reggae artists and some wonderful cinematography form the essence of this film, that is divided into five parts. The Island - This first segment examines the history of Jamaica, and includes segments on the Arawaks, the colonialization of Jamaica, slavery, the maroons and Jamaica gaining independence from England in 1962. The Prophet - This portion of the movie looks at the history of Marcus Garvey, his afro-centric beliefs, the UNIA and his infamous "look to africa' prediction regarding the crowning of a black king that many likened to John the Baptist. The King - The third part of the documentary looks at the crowning of H.I.M., Mussolini's conquest of Ethiopia and Haile Selassie's return to the crown in 1941. The Revelation- The fourth segment looks at Haile Selassie's visit to JA in the 60's, Leonard Howell and the genesis of the Rastafari movement over that 35 year period. The Music - The final segment looks how musicians have used the words and sound of reggae music as a 'weapon' to fight the forces standing in opposition to rasta livity. Narrated by Ras RoJAH Steffens, the documentary contains excerpts of interviews from about 2 dozen Jamaicans (primarily singers, but also included were Daniel Campbell - Andrew "Bassie" Campbell's dad, Abba Melkezedik - H.I.M.'s exiled advisor). It was great to see the segments from Joseph Hill (thereby making this an instant timeless classic), but by far the highlight of those excerpts were from PABLO MOSES. I remember being very impressed with Pablo's historical knowledge back in 1999 when he attended SNWMF where I was able to interview him and attend the press conference. Well, he took it to another level during the movie's interviews. Although most of them were relatively short, the insights he provides on the effects of slavery on black culture, the maroons and the hard trod that rastas had to make in Jamaica really made the movie for me. I was also very moved by all the artists' recollections of their having seen Selassie in 1966 - especially Don Carlos who was able to get "Just A Passing Glance." Other standout interviewees for me included Ijahman (smiling for a change), Samuel Clayton (Mystic Revelation of Rastafari), Bernard Collins (Abyssinians), Ras Michael and Winston McAnuff. The musical selections used as the foreground for this documentary are, in a word, outstanding (because the music forms the entire basis for the film, I wouldn't call it background music). Holding On To Jah weaves together poignant interviews, excellent cinematography, captivating narration and incredible music to give vibrance and life to the rastafari way of life. 
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