1. MacPherson by Martine Chartrand (10 mins) Trailer:
https://www.nfb.ca/film/macpherson_enThis animated film by Martine Chartrand (Black Soul) recounts the friendship between a young Félix Leclerc and Frank Randolph Macpherson, a Jamaican chemical engineer and university graduate who worked for a pulp and paper company. An inveterate jazz fan, Macpherson inspired Leclerc, who wrote a song about the log drives and entitled it "MacPherson" in honour of his friend. Paint-on-glass animation shot with a 35mm camera.-
Written by NFB
2. The Story of Lovers Rock by Menelik Shabazz (97 mins) Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiJof_zx2UkLovers Rock, often dubbed 'romantic reggae' is a uniquely black British sound that developed in the late 70s and 80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems. Lovers Rock allowed young people to experience intimacy and healing through dance- known as 'scrubbing'- at parties and clubs. This dance provided a coping mechanism for what was happening on the streets. Lovers Rock developed into a successful sound with national UK hits and was influential to British bands (Police, Culture Club, UB40) These influences underline the impact the music was making in bridging the multi-cultural gap that polarized the times. The film sheds light on a forgotten period of British music, social and political history. - Menelik Shabazz