The 1972 Jamaican movie classic The Harder They Come will be remade using the production companies of United Kingdom-based Zingu Films and Canada-based Conquering Lion with producer Justine Henzell. The original film was written and directed by Perry Henzell, Justines father.
Conquering Lions producer Damon DOliveira described the remake as “a re-imagining that will move to contemporary reggae and reggae-influenced grooves.” In an interview, DOliveira said “The Harder They Come was the first film to bring the real Jamaica to the world, and that spirit informs this new version.”
The original film starred Jimmy Cliff, Janet Bartley and Carl Bradshaw. The film is credited with helping to introduce reggae music and Jamaica to the international masses. The soundtrack for the original movie is considered to be a classic by many critics, and was named one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone in 2003, and one of the top-ten soundtracks ever by Vanity Fair in 2007.
Its plot involved a Reggae singer pushing his singing career in the city, but finding it harder than he thought.
Producer Justine Henzel said that for the first time, she is confident that they will have a team that will simultaneously honor the original while creating a new narrative worthy of the legacy.
The new remake will be set in Jamaica and London.
The screenplay will be written by Chris Salewicz who also wrote Third World Cop.
The draft script will be ready for Cannes and the principal photography will begin in 2012, according to the producers
