The Sun is shining over the new Bob Marley biopic. Released in UAE cinemas this weekend, Bob Marley: One Love has already topped the US and UK box office charts with critics hailing the film as a vibrant yet slightly sanitised look at the life of the revered reggae singer.
Featuring an evocative soundtrack packed with Bob Marley and the Wailers hits, the film joins several titles exploring some of the creative and socio-political roots of reggae music and associated genres.
Here are five others to watch to begin your reggae-inspired film collection.
1. The Harder They Come (1972)
The film and soundtrack are viewed as bringing reggae music to western audiences.
Directed by Perry Henzell and starring burgeoning reggae singer Jimmy Cliff, the film follows Ivanhoe "Ivan" Martin's ill-fated journey from growing up in rural Jamaica to the gritty hustles and bustle of its capital Kingston.
This action and drama is juxtaposed by an influential reggae soundtrack featuring genre staples such as You Can Get It If You Really Want, the title track by Cliff, as well as Rivers of Babylon by The Melodians.
The Harder They Come was adapted into a UK musical in 2005.
2. Rockers (1978)
Rockers is another critically lauded effort renowned for its visuals and soundtrack.
Starring influential reggae studio drummer Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace as himself, the fictional Rockers follows his struggle to make a living in a Jamaican music scene bursting with the popularity of reggae and dancehall music.
The soundtrack is another keeper featuring works by reggae pioneers Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs and Jacob Miller.
3. Dancehall Queen (1997)
Directed by British Jamaican filmmaker and DJ Don Letts, Dancehall Queen is a celebration of dancehall music and culture in Jamaica.
On the run from neighbourhood criminals, street vendor Marcia Green (Audrey Reid) enters a dance competition for a cash prize that could save her life.
As well as brilliant dance sequences and an infectious soundtrack, the film is also a reflection on the poverty and social inequalities plaguing Jamaica's urban centres.
4. Third World Cop (1999)
One of the highest-grossing films in Jamaican box office history, the film is a taut crime thriller about an undercover cop (Paul Campbell) and his quest to bring down a ruthless Jamaican gun ring.
The action sequences are laced with a pulsating soundtrack by revered reggae producers Sly Dunbar and bassist Robert Shakespeare. The gritty track list of reggae and dancehall numbers features fine cuts by Lady G (Man a Bad Man) and Luciano (Police and Thieves).
5. Lovers Rock (2020)
Directed by Oscar-winner Steve McQueen, the film was released as part of the BBC anthology series Small Axe, which examines the lives of West Indian communities in London.
Set in the 1980s, Lovers Rock is as much a tender love story as a tribute to the sensual balladry of reggae-subgenre Lovers Rock.
The soundtrack features songs by Dennis Brown, Junior English and Lee Scratch Perry.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Towering concerns
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
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Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
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The specs
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
