Perry Henzell's daughter Justine has recorded a special introduction to celebrate the film's 50th anniversary. As well as being a golden time for reggae, the early 1970s was the time for classic Jamaican film. The Harder They Come broke out in 1972, riding a wave of optimism a decade after independence. Co-written by Trevor D. Rhone (Smile Orange), this classic cult film fuses a true tale of a country boy turned badman with that of ruthless reggae star-making. Jimmy Cliff plays Ivanhoe, newly arrived in Kingston and searching for work. While Ivanhoe sinks to badman crime, the music, by Cliff, Desmond Dekker and The Maytals’ Toots, soars.
Screening as part of One Love from Jamaica at LIFF 2022, presented in partnership with Jamaica Society Leeds and the Jamaica Film and Television Association.
