Bob Marley peforms live in Germany. Photo courtesy Arsenal Films.

Bob Marley: One of His Last Concerts

by Esther Iverem
SeeingBlack.com Editor and Film Critic

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We can never get enough of Bob Marley. This longing is what happens when one of our prophets is snatched away prematurely. Partly because they did not finish their lives, they become larger than life. What they left us in the way of words, songs, action and spirit we want to see over and over again, and see in new ways. We want fresh insight into and interpretations of the social and human drama that we already have seen. We want one more look.

Hence the interest in "Bob Marley Live in Concert," a 65-minute documentary by Stefan Paul from Germany. Most of this previously unseen footage comes from a 1980 concert that Marley and the Wailers played at the Dortmund Westfalia Hall in Germany, less than one year before his death. Some portions of it are grainy and obviously poorly lit but the uneven quality gives the film a historical, very low-tech feel, by today's standards. Also included is some footage of Marley peforming at the 1979 Reggae Sunsplash festival in Jamaica and scenes from Marley's funeral in Kingston with the eulogy from Prime Minister Michael Manley.

Watching Marley posthumously, his songs and stage energy take on added meaning. When he starts the concert with the rolling and hypnotic "Exodus," it sounds as if he is foreseeing another time when Africans across the globe will rise up against slavery and injustice. When he sings "Zimbabwe," it is easy to remember the optimism and pride felt for the last African country to break the chains of colonialism. Also included are performances of "Coming in From the Cold," "Lively Up Yourself," "Get Up, Stand Up," "Natural Mystic," "I Shot The Sheriff," "War/No More Trouble," "Jamming," and "No Woman No Cry."

In Germany, Marley gave his all in performance, singing lead, of course, on all of the songs and dancing up a stream of sweat in a blue denim shirt and jeans. Sometimes he holds his head and you can't help but wonder if he is feeling the effect from the brain cancer that would take his life in May 1981. The camera pans occasionally to the back-up singers, including Rita Marley, and the band. The White audience is packed into the large hall cheering, clapping. I always wonder if these audiences understand the lyrics or are just rocking to the beat.

With the concert mood established, the switch to Marley's funeral about half way through comes out of nowhere. I have no doubt that Paul wrestled with the best way to include this footage. Perhaps he wanted to end the film on a note of celebration and not bereavement. But as it is edited, the effect is jarring. When the film returns to the concert for several songs, the mood has been broken. It is almost like we are seeing a ghost.

And we never want to think of our prophets quite like that.

Screened at Filmfest D.C. 2001.

-- May 17, 2001

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