Marley Birthday Celebration

After world premiering in Ethiopia, the documentary Africa Unite: A Celebration of Bob Marley's Vision is coming home!

all credits: FilmStew.com

It took a while, but the Danny Glover produced documentary about Bob Marley's efforts to bring peace to Africa is finally going to premiere in his native country on the reggae music legend's birthday. The 89-minute Africa Unite: A Celebration of Bob Marley's Vision will debut on 6th February 2008, just ahead of its DVD release on February 12th.

The film's director, Stephanie Black, uses as a central narrative device in a trip undertaken by Ras "Bongo" Tawney from his native Jamaica to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where a famous 2005 concert in Marley's honor took place. Footage from the 12-hour extravaganza is intercut with Tawney's travels and other reflective elements of Marley's legacy.

"It meant so much to me that Ras Tawney was able to make the trip," explains Stephanie Black on the film's official website. "It was really more of a sojourn. It meant everything to him, as you can see in the film. If there had been money to send his wife and family, I'm absolutely certain his trip would have been one way."

"There's not an artist in the world who is both the commercial success and the inspiration that Bob was," she adds. "We approached this film not as a way to gaze upon Bob, but to direct the viewer's gaze on the things that were important to Bob: His Majesty, Ethiopia, and a united Diasporic movement."

Africa Divide is available for pre-order via the website www.filmstew.com. It is a production of Louverture Films, who also financed the feature film Bamako. Marley's widow Rita is on board as an executive producer.

Visit the official Bob Marley website: www.web.bobmarley.com