There’s a very special event happening next week in memory of Perry Henzell (who died in 2006), the celebrated director “The Harder They Come”. It’s a double feature screening with Perry’s until recently thought to be lost follow-up “No Place Like Home”. It’s also a celebration of the star of the film, Jimmy Cliff, and his recent induction into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.

There’s a pre-party celebrating the life of Perry Henzell and Jimmy Cliff’s induction before the screenings. Music will be provided by DJ Baby Ace mixing the classics all brought to you by Universal Music Enterprises and Red Stripe Beer.

There will also be a Q&A panel between the screening of each film featuring Justine Henzell (Perry’s daughter), producer David Garonzik, P.J. Soles (actress), Arthur Gorson (friend and producer), Roger Steffens (reggae historian) and special surprise guests which will be moderated by Wayne Jobson.

“No Place Like Home” is not widely known as it was thought to have been lost years ago. It was intended as the 2nd part of a Jamaican trilogy after the international success of “The Harder They Come”, but all the footage that was shot in the 70’s was considered lost, destroyed in a vault flood. After that Perry focused on writing and his first novel POWER GAME in effect became the 3rd and final part of the trilogy.

The film follows New York producer Susan as she ventures into the Jamaican countryside (reversing the country-to-city trajectory of the first film) in search of a runaway actress. The film features music by Bob Marley & The Wailers, Toots & The Maytals, Peter Tosh, Grace Jones and P.J. Soles.

“The Harder They Come” needs no such introduction of course as most readers of this blog have surely seen it repeatedly since they first got a crappy VHS copy at a record swap or off a mate years ago. The DVD transfer is amazing if you haven’t seen it but none of that compares with actually seeing it on the big screen where it should be viewed.

Get more info at the Facebook Event Page.

Friday, March 19, 2010 at 6:30pm
American Cinematheque / Egyptian Theater
6712 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA

Watch the Trailer for No Place Like Home:

SPECIAL DEAL ALERT:
Discount tickets are available through Goldstar.com ($5.50 plus $3 fee, $11 @ box office)