A new reggae documentary entitled Inna De Yard: The Soul of Jamaica officially premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival on Monday. The film captures some of the male and female pioneers of reggae who helped shape its unique sound from the 1970s. The documentary captures a deeper look into the lives and careers of Ken Boothe, Cedric Myton, Winston McAnuff and Kiddus, I, who are just a few of the big names featured in the film.
Although the film’s subjects Cedric, Winston, and Kiddus, I were missing on the red carpet, Ken Boothe and the director of Inna De Yard, Peter Webber were both in attendance. We spoke to both about what it was like to being a part of such a culturally necessary documentary, and its how it reflects the rich culture of Jamaica.
Peter Weeber (left) and Ken Boothe (right). Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival
The Knockturnal: You’ve directed various genres of movies, from horror to drama. Inna De Yard seems completely different from your past work. What made you want to take the documentary route and tell the stories of these men?
Peter Webber: Well, I used to do documentaries before I got into drama. I used to make documentaries for British TV for a long time and I’ve carried on doing that. I’ve made a lot of documentaries and this one was really close to my heart because I’ve been a Reggae fan since I was 15-years-old. So, I got a chance to do this and I’ve got such love and enthusiasm for the music, it was just dope. It was a chance for me to spend time with these musicians that I’m a big, big fan of and trying to take their music and show it to the world.
The Knockturnal: Were they some of your favorite artists growing up? How did you ultimately decide who would be the subjects of this documentary?
Peter Webber: When I was 15-years-old, I had an album of Cedric [Myton] when he was in a band called The Congos. I had so many copies of that album, from the vinyl days to CDs. I’d play it over and over. So, to actually meet him was incredible. Within half an hour of arriving in Jamaica, I got into a van and drove down [to Cedric’s] where we were standing in his backyard, eating Red Snapper [fish] and drinking a Red Stripe (laughs).
The Knockturnal: Was that your first time in Jamaica?
Peter Webber: Yes, it was! I’m really glad it was my first time because I could’ve gone for a vacation but then I would’ve had the tourist experience. It’s best to go in and really see that other side of the country. It was amazing, it was a privilege.
The Knockturnal: After all these years, how did it feel to be able to tell your story on camera knowing that it’ll reach so many people that may not be familiar with you or your music?
Ken Boothe: Music is information and it brings people together. It enlightens people, it uplifts the minds of people. So, I love to sing and I love music. You know, I’ve been doing this since I was 7 years old. My family is full of entertainers but only two of us actually pursued it, my mother being one. She passed away and here I am, still doing what I love to do. My family eats and drink out of it, my children go to school out of it, and these are the things that I am proud about. Not everybody has seen me before or know who I am. So, I am really grateful for the privilege.
Inna De Yard opens up with a beautiful panoramic view of Jamaica’s terrains. Tucked deep somewhere in mountains and hillsides, a group of talented musicians are huddled on the porch of a random house playing various instruments. There are drums, guitars and even a piano. A studio mic is set up inside of the house surrounded by dozens of pictures of legendary musicians on the wall, vinyl and tape recordings.
We eventually find out that this is where recordings for the soundtrack of the film will be done by the film’s subjects: Ken Booth, Cedric Myton, Winston McAnuff and Kiddus, I. These four men weren’t the only icons who got to tell their story. The fabulous Judy Mowatt also graces d with a cameo. The Jamaican vocalist gushes over the four men and their musical skills and even gives us a peek into her brewing career as a solo artist during the 1970s.
For those may not know who these four men are, they considered legends in reggae music and are just a few of the people responsible for the international outreach of the genre. Cedric Myton was a member of a couple different bands throughout the 1960s but his career ultimately took of once he formed The Congos. In the film, he talks about the band releasing their most popular body of work, their EP Heart of The Congos and how his career took a sharp turn soon after due to legal issues with his label and past run-ins with the law over minor drug offenses.
Winston McAnuff’s is best known for his song “Malcolm X”. The song talks about the social issues of African American’s during the early 1980s when the song was recorded. In his interview, Winston explained how most of the music made during that period reflected what was currently happening their communities. Police brutality was just as much of a concern then as it is today, and the acts of social justice that were taking place in America were no secret to the tiny island of Jamaica.
Kiddus, I gained his acting debut in the 1979 indie Jamaican film Rockers. Not only did he star in the film as his self but he also, along with several other reggae recording artists, recorded a song for the film’s soundtrack. The song “Graduation in Zion” kickstarted his career into high gear, and from there he released continued to release more music. Kiddus, I describe how his stubborn personality and troublemaking ways were an issue for him while growing up, and sometimes those traits would negatively interfere with his career.
And finally, Ken Boothe. His 1974 hit “Everything I Own” was #1 on the UK Charts and played on nearly every radio station for quite some time. The song is a cover of the original somber tune written by 70’s rock band Bread, but Boothe’s light and soothing voice won the hearts of the audiences he performed for. Boothe received a great deal of success in his musical career and now reaps the benefits of it with his wife in Jamaica.
Towards the end of the film, Boothe details how life has been for him since the recording the hit that started everything, and how he occasionally still tours in cities throughout Europe to perform the song. Along with him for the ride are Cedric, Winston, and Kiddus, I who also get to perform their music to a crowd of French fans in Paris.
To find out more about Inna De Yard, visit www.tribecafilm.com/festival.
