Ghett'a Life (2011) review


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 Who was your favorite character (s) from the film? Why?

Same as the last film, I think my favorite character is the protagonist, Derrick. But in this case, the film was way more complex and Derrick showed that. He was very persistent and commited to his dream (be the best at boxing). That means that he saw politics as something not worth dying for, cause it was causing so much pain to the people (without any benefit at all). So his determination and results reunited both (principal) political parties, PNP and JLP (will talk later about them), people to watch his fights. Also honorable mentions to his mom, Dawn Thompson, who not only supported his son, but was a woman that had the courage to overcome (or at least try) sexism and patriarchy.

 How do we see the political conflict portrayed in the film? Remember to use the article Michael Manley's Vision to help you

The film places the plot in election year, where the 2 principal parties, People’s National Party (PNP) and Jamaican Labour Party (JLP), fight against each other. And that means literally fight, with gangs and shootings. So Derrick, who lives in a PNP territory (with his parents being supporters of PNP), has to cross to JLP territory for training at the gym. Obviously his father did not allow that and they had a costant argument about that. Through the film, we can see the violence, death and war between both parties. But the fight shows something more focused on territory and identity more than ideology. We have to remember that in the 70’s and 80’s this happened over Michael Manley’s goverment, mainly because of political disagreement (like Jamaica supporting Cuban army, for example) and a serious economic crisis.

 How are woman portrayed in this film? Is it a Little or big advancement compared to The Harder they Come?

To be honest, it was better than The Harder They Come (which had barely women representatives), but it was not enough. The only character that had development was Dawn, that at least had an strong opinion and faced men fighting her believes. But that’s it. Camella gave me a hope initially, but she ended being a secondary role and the protagonist’s love interest. So, no much so say, but at least is something.


Comentarios

  1. Andreas Mauna24 de septiembre de 2019 a las 18:42

    It was definitely way better and more complex than The Harder They Come, but the issue about giving more room and voice to female characters it's a pending debt in Jamaica until now, though.

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