The Jamaican debut of ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ at Carib 5 on January 23 has proven to be a blockbuster not just in terms of entertainment but also in its economic impact, according to Shullette Cox, the President of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).
In an exciting revelation, Cox stated, “Within the first 12 hours of the premiere, the numbers indicate that the event generated over a million pounds in the United Kingdom (UK). In the initial 24 hours, it raked in a whopping $1.9 billion in the United States of America (USA). And that’s just the beginning. The London premiere is yet to be factored in, not to mention the upcoming Hollywood premiere. Minister Bartlett of Tourism must be thrilled, as this surge in interest is bound to translate into more visitors eager to experience the stories firsthand.”
Cox shared this insight during the launch of the Jamaica Screen Development Initiative at the Office of the Prime Minister on January 31.
‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is a biopic celebrating the life of the late reggae legend, Robert “Nesta” Marley, with parts of the film shot in Jamaica.
Important for Jamaica’s creative sector
Honoring the film’s impact, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, expressed pride in witnessing Jamaicans worldwide eagerly awaiting its global release on February 14.
She emphasized that the premiere exemplifies the importance of investing in the creative sector.
Minister Grange commended all stakeholders involved in the Jamaica Screen Development Initiative (JSDI), anticipating its role as a vital pillar in the growth of the local film industry. She highlighted the JSDI’s mission to support Jamaican-made screen productions, aiming to address the challenges local filmmakers face in scriptwriting, distribution, and securing funding.
Asserting Jamaica’s status as an “unparalleled global brand,” Minister Grange envisioned the potential for the JSDI to pave the way for Jamaica’s own film industry – playfully dubbed “Jollywood,” echoing the success stories of India’s Bollywood and Nigeria’s Nollywood.
