Windrush Generations Fest: The Harder They Come

Screening as part of Hackney’s Windrush Generations Festival honouring the contributions of the Windrush Generation across Hackney. 

In 1984 the British Reggae Artists Famine Appeal (BRAFA) was created when Hackney resident and lead singer of The Blackstones, Leon Leiffer, became frustrated by the lack of African and Caribbean artist representation in Band Aid, the charity supergroup formed to raise money for anti-famine efforts in Ethiopia. Remembering BRAFA tells the story through the eyes and memories of Leon and his fellow musicians. 

To complement the film series, renowned photographer David Corio, famous for his iconic images of the jazz, reggae, rock, soul, hip hop, and blues scenes, has curated a special selection of photographs especially for Hackney Picturehouse. These works commemorate the 40th anniversary of the British Reggae Artist Famine Appeal (BRAFA), a landmark event known as Hackney's own Live Aid in 1986.

Jimmy Cliff brings a knockout soundtrack and charisma aplenty to this classic crime drama.

A film that needs no introduction to anyone with so much as the slightest interest in reggae or Jamaican culture, The Harder They Come celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Besides its credentials as an explosive action thriller with a killer soundtrack, it is universally credited with introducing reggae and the roots movement to the world as a serious cultural proposition.

Perry Henzell’s unfiltered portrait of Jamaica’s music industry, the emerging Rasta faith and how so many Jamaicans lived, both in the town and the country, redefined a genre of music, giving it context and weight. Five decades on, that excitement and sense of discovery remain undimmed.

Produced in partnership with Hackney Artweek hackneyartweek.com.

For full Windrush Generations Festival listings visit https://www.lovehackney.uk/windrush