While Bob Marley may be most closely associated with the heyday of reggae music, there are others who did not achieve international stardom, ones who remain popular in Jamaica and among reggae fans, singers and songwriters who maintain the spiritual and social values reflected in their music from the 70s and 80s. Now they will once again sing about those values, as relevant as ever, on an international tour. Inna de Yard captures the musicians—among them Ken Boothe, Winston McAnuff, Kiddus I, and Cedric Myton—as they reacquaint, swap stories, and talk of their lives as they rehearse in a studio in the hills above Kingston in a house adorned with hundreds of old LPs and 45s from back in the day.

Director Peter Webber spends time with them individually—also getting thoughts from singer Judy Mowatt—and it is clear the joyous, infectious music they are about to perform is much more than some sort of nostalgia trip. Inna de Yard captures the ongoing relevance of reggae, social values, and the music’s passion to revitalize an older generation while passing it on to younger listeners.

—Brian Gordon

After the Premiere Screening: A special performance by reggae legend Ken Boothe.

Directed by

Peter Webber