Journey to Jah Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Switzerland 2013 – 92min.
Movie Rating
Journey to Jah
![Andrea Lüthi Andrea Lüthi](https://media.services.cinergy.ch/media/cropbox160/f51e5d5d04539246d9eb740a42af82adf6cff882.jpg)
Gentleman travels to Jamaica to visit his musical friends and investigate the roots of Rastafarian culture.
"In Germany, if you ask someone the way to school, you get a clear answer. If you ask the same question in Jamaica, the answer is: 'There's always a way', which results in a discussion about life." This is how Gentleman characterizes the cultures he oscillates between. Gentleman’s real name is Tilman Otto; his almost flawless Jamaican Creole gives little indication that he’s German. As a reggae musician, he has been traveling to Jamaica since the 90’s. Sicilian Alberto d' Ascola, alias Alborosie, has lived there for years; his dreadlocks reach down to the floor. The two aren’t escapists, they are drawn to the country’s music, its search for meaning and the effect it can have. They also deal with social injustice: Gentleman’s friend Natty lives in a ghetto, where shots often ring out and every day is a struggle to survive.
For years, Tilman Otto and Alberto d'Ascola have sought out discussion with artists and musicians. Far from Jamaican clichés, the film deals with the meaning of music, spirituality and life. Journey to Jah is multifaceted and balanced, with deep, funny and thoughtful viewpoints that linger.
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