New Film Marks 30 Years Since Death of Bob Marley

Reggae legend Bob Marley passed away 30 years ago today, May 11, 1981, from cancer. To mark the anniversary, director Kevin MacDonald is previewing his new documentary, simply called Marley, at Cannes Film Festival.

MacDonald - whose previous work includes Touching The Void and Last King Of Scotland - said he was inspired to make the film while working in Uganda and seeing Marley's face and hearing his music throughout the slums of Kampala. The film tries 'to look at the influence he's had all around the world' and, as well as Jamaica, takes in India, Japan, Kenya and Tunisia where, in the recent popular uprisings, demonstrators sang 'Get up, stand up!' 

'Anywhere you go in the world Marley speaks to people,' MacDonald has said.

The film's producers have been using a copy of the Genesis limited edition Rebel Music: Bob Marley and Roots Reggae by Kate Simon, as part of their research. Kate photographed Marley numerous times between 1975 and 1981 - touring with him in 1977 and even covering his state funeral - and her book includes more than 400 photographs and text from 24 contributors including ex-Wailers Family Man Barrett and Junior Marvin, and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell.

Copies of the special anniversary edition of the book - that includes a unique 'one-of-one' hand-made, silver gelatin archival print, created especially for the making of Rebel Music and hand-signed by Kate Simon - are availbable for immediate despatch. Click here for more infomation and place your order now.