[FA Worldmusic] Perry Henzell 1936-2006

[Mark Gorney]

Sad news. Talk about an innovator who vastly increased the exposure and
viability of a largely unknown music from the Caribbean... It is perhaps
trite to say that The Harder They Come was the Buena Vista Social Club of
its time, but with greater lasting impact. Jamaica would never again be
perceived in the same way.


Jamaica Observer
Friday, December 01, 2006

PERRY Henzell, co-author, director and producer of one of Jamaica's first
feature films The Harder They Come is dead.

Henzell passed away at about 4:00 yesterday morning at his son's house in St
Elizabeth, after fighting off an illness for seven years.

"He passed on peacefully and we give thanks for that. We are happy for his
life," said Henzell's son, Jason, who operates Jakes Guest House at Calabash
Bay in the parish.

Henzell had been battling with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood
cells.

Henzell's latest project - No Place Like Home - a film about Jamaica, was
set to be premiered at the Flashpoint film festival in Negril today.
Yesterday, tributes were paid by politicians and persons who worked with the
pioneer filmmaker.

Actor Carl Bradshaw, who had roles in The Harder They Come and No Place Like
Home, described Henzell's contribution to the growth of Jamaica's cultural
product as phenomenal.

"I remember him as a pioneer. He was the man who influenced Jamaica's film
industry. The Harder They Come was more than a great visual as it is
responsible for taking reggae music where it is today," Bradshaw said.

In a statement from Jamaica House, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller
expressed her deep regret at Henzell's passing.

"Jamaica has lost a talented son and his death has created a void throughout
the creative industries in Jamaica. He will be truly missed," the prime
minister said.

At the same time, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding implored Jamaicans to take
a leaf out of Henzell's book.

"His life of service and dedication to country is one that we must seek to
embrace and emulate. He has left for all of us a rich legacy," Golding said.

Perry Henzell was born in 1936 in Port Maria, St Mary. He was raised on the
Caymanas Estate and attended Jamaica College until he was sent to school in
England at age 14.

He entered McGill University in Montreal at the age of 17 and began working
in the drama department of the BBC television studios in London when he was
20.

Henzell returned to Jamaica six years later and founded Vista Productions.
During the 1960s he made more than 200 commercials and established a studio
in Kingston. During the 1980s, he directed a musical on the life of Marcus
Garvey.

He also penned the novels, Power Game, which was published in 1982, and
Cane, a historical drama, which was published in 2003.

Perry Henzell is survived by his widow Sally, children Justine, Jason and
Toni-Ann.





 
Mark Gorney
Worldisc
415.461.8380
mark at worldisc.net