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List Price: $24.98 | | Label: Palm Pictures / Umvd
Salesrank: 32934
Released: February 12, 2008 |
| Our Price: $12.79 |
| Used Price: $9.99 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
AFRICA UNITE is a singular and masterfully executed film that is at once concert tribute, Marley family travelogue, and humanitarian documentary, igniting the screen with the spirit of world renowned reggae icon BOB MARLEY in its every frame. In commemoration of Bob’s 60th birthday, Africa Unite is centered on the Marleys’ first time ever family trip to Ethiopia in 2005. Includes rare archival footage of world renowned reggae icon Bob Marley. There in the capital city of Addis Ababa three generations of Marleys take part in a 12 hour concert like no other, attended by more than 300,000 people from around the world, with the ultimate purpose of inspiring the young generations of Africa to unite for the future of their continent. Features exuberant on stage spots as well as a soundtrack brimming with Bob Marley studio classics. Includes appearances by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, actor Danny Glover, world music sensation Angelique Kidjo, Bob Marley’s mother Mrs. Booker, and Princess Mary, granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie. Produced and directed by Stephanie Black, Life & Debt; H 2 Worker, Associate Produced by Ras Bobby Morgan, and Executive Produced by Rita Marley, Cedella Marley, Danny Glover, and Joslyn Barnes.
Description of Africa Unite:
The spirit of Bob Marley imbues Africa Unite, a documentary-cum-concert recorded in 2005, the year of what would have been the late reggae pioneer's 60th birthday. Yet it was more than Marley's music (represented here by versions of classics like "Get Up, Stand Up," "Natty Dread,""Burnin' and Lootin'," and "I Shot the Sheriff," variously performed by widow Rita and sons Ziggy, Stephen, Julian, Damian, and Ky-Mani, along with a few vintage clips of Marley himself in action) that drew thousands of Africans and others to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a week of music, symposiums, and other events. More than any other genre-defining artist of the pop music era--more even than Bob Dylan, who neither sought nor was comfortable with the "voice of a generation" tag--Bob Marley's work contained an overt political element, and it is his message of resistance to oppression and the necessity for people to work together to enact change that galvanizes director Stephanie Black's film. And while Marley, a Jamaican, never actually performed in Ethiopia, the choice of that country (referred to as "the genesis of mankind") as a location makes perfect sense, as it was ruled by Emperor Haile Selassie, whom Marley and other Rastafarians regarded as God incarnate. Selassie, also known as the Lion of Judah, Ras Tafari, or Jah Rastafari, is invoked often; his granddaughter is on hand to welcome visitors (who also include Marley's mother, Cedella Booker, and actor Danny Glover). In juxtaposing old news footage from Africa's colonial past with new material in which participants discuss the vital importance of African self-sufficiency, Africa Unite offers a well-balanced and informative perspective on an important and interesting subject. The music's pretty darn good, too. --Sam Graham
Africa Unite Reviews:
Collection item 
2009-10-29 - I have no complaints about this dvd I really enjoyed every second I spent watching.
Jah Bless
2009-10-16 - In celebration of Bob's would-be 60th birthday, this this documentary/concert provides insight to the Rasta movement and its message. There is rare footage of the messiah himself, Haile Selassie, and of the Marley family in their journey to Zion.
This film shows the power, influence, and meaning behind the music Bob introduced to the world. The music and the message live. Rasta or not watch this film.
"Rastafari not a culture- it's a reality." -Bob Marley
Back to Africa 
2009-01-27 - What a joy to see the whole Marly clan back in Africa for this special ocassion. The music was great but the purpose for the visit was even more significant. A must see!!!
Best Rasta profile
2008-07-17 - A clear and very well organized DVD. I love the historical clips added to show the story of Rasta and Bob. It is a very nice DVD to have as a collection. I did hear the DVD can be found at other retail stores like Fry's at a lower price.
Excellent!
2008-03-24 - The DVD is part documentary, part concert. Watching it makes me think how sorely mankind needs divine intervention, bc our problems run so deep, and try as we might we seem to use our differences to our detriment, instead of to our betterment.
