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Project Detail

Rebel Dread

Synopsis

The story of Don Letts, a first generation Black British cultural mover and shaker, filmmaker, musician and raconteur. The film frames Don’s story with the Enoch Powell Rivers of Blood speech in 1968 and the “hostile environment” immigration policy of 2018. That’s the backdrop and the context of Don’s life – trying to find a place in the world. So we cover his relationship with the nascent punk scene – how rastas and punks found a common bond, both outside the mainstream, and how he introduced dub reggae to the punks. How he became part of the inner circle of the Clash, and how Johnny Rotten took him to Jamaica. He then became a top promo director (London Calling, Chain Gang, Pass the Dutchie) and then he formed a band, Big Audio Dynamite, with his old friend Mick Jones and made music that incorporated dance, reggae, rap, film samples and rock n roll. On leaving BAD Letts became a feature director, won a Grammy for his documentary WESTWAY TO THE WORLD: THE STORY OF THE CLASH, and is now a leading cultural commentator.

Details

Year
2020
Type of project
Features
Running time
86 min
Format
Digital
Director
William E. Badgley
Producer
William E. Badgley, Mark Vennis, Phil Hunt
Executive Producer
Don Letts, Christos Michaels, James Swarbrick
Editor
Eric Pritchard
Screenwriter
William E. Badgley
Director of Photography
William E. Badgley, Alasdair Ogilvie
Composer
Ben von Wildenhaus
Principal cast
Don Letts, Jazzie B, Mick Jones, John Lydon
Film Image
© Don Letts Private Collection

Genre

Music Dance

Categories

Documentary

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

A Moviehouse Entertainment (UK), Head Gear Films (UK), Molasses Manifesto (US) production

Moviehouse Entertainment

Black Hangar Studios
Lasham Airfield
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 5SG

Head Gear Films

Ashley House, 5th Floor
12 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 8QN

Sales Company

Moviehouse Entertainment

Black Hangar Studios
Lasham Airfield
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 5SG

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