The harder they come
“The Harder they Come”
“The Harder They Come,” a famous film produced by Perry Henzell, a local Jamaican from the white ruling class, highlighted realities that are not often portrayed or depicted in most local films. Produced in 1973, ten years after Jamaican gained Independence from the British State, “The Harder They Come” portrays life Post-Colonialism and how Jamaicans dealt with remaining true to their culture and the adaptation of foreign culture, such veracities are illustrated through the characters, themes, technical elements and various contexts that ties in with the essence of the film. The film starts of with Ivanhoe Martin, leaving the countryside and making his way into the Town to meet his mother after his grandmother died. A man with big dream, Ivan vows that he will one day become famous even if it’s the last thing he does. His mother tells him that its best he goes back into the countryside but when she realizes how persistent he was, she then gives him the name “Preacher” to help him get employment. He then sets out for work and after trying he finds a work at “Preacher” the name his mother gave to him. Whilst working there in Preachers business, Ivanhoe makes record with Hilton a well-known producer, a dream he always had since he came in town. Persuading him to sell it for a meager twenty-dollars, Ivan refuses and tries to sell his record elsewhere, unsuccessful he returns to Hilton and takes the price that was previously offered to him. He is then assured by him that he runs the town and his record would not play unless he tells DJ’s to do so. Struggling, Ivan turns to the Ganja trade after he meets Jose, who urges him to join the business. Whilst on his way home on his bicycle, a policeman starts following him, Ivan panicked and shot the policeman, causing other to go after him, He then lives his life as a fugitive somewhat but he also was a hero for the locals. The film ends with him being shot and locals cheering
“The Harder They Come,” a famous film produced by Perry Henzell, a local Jamaican from the white ruling class, highlighted realities that are not often portrayed or depicted in most local films. Produced in 1973, ten years after Jamaican gained Independence from the British State, “The Harder They Come” portrays life Post-Colonialism and how Jamaicans dealt with remaining true to their culture and the adaptation of foreign culture, such veracities are illustrated through the characters, themes, technical elements and various contexts that ties in with the essence of the film. The film starts of with Ivanhoe Martin, leaving the countryside and making his way into the Town to meet his mother after his grandmother died. A man with big dream, Ivan vows that he will one day become famous even if it’s the last thing he does. His mother tells him that its best he goes back into the countryside but when she realizes how persistent he was, she then gives him the name “Preacher” to help him get employment. He then sets out for work and after trying he finds a work at “Preacher” the name his mother gave to him. Whilst working there in Preachers business, Ivanhoe makes record with Hilton a well-known producer, a dream he always had since he came in town. Persuading him to sell it for a meager twenty-dollars, Ivan refuses and tries to sell his record elsewhere, unsuccessful he returns to Hilton and takes the price that was previously offered to him. He is then assured by him that he runs the town and his record would not play unless he tells DJ’s to do so. Struggling, Ivan turns to the Ganja trade after he meets Jose, who urges him to join the business. Whilst on his way home on his bicycle, a policeman starts following him, Ivan panicked and shot the policeman, causing other to go after him, He then lives his life as a fugitive somewhat but he also was a hero for the locals. The film ends with him being shot and locals cheering
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