Songs Of Freedom
Compelling stories of courage and hope
by Jamaican gays and lesbians
Compelling stories of courage and hope
by Jamaican gays and lesbians
GENERAL INFORMATION
Songs of Freedom, Canada, 2002, Video, 75 Minutes
Produced & Directed by Phillip Pike
Produced with the Assistance of:
... • The Canada Council for the Arts – Media Arts Section
... • The Ontario Arts Council
... • The National Film Board of Canada – Filmmaker Assistance Program
Distributed by: Jahloveboy Productions
SHORT SYNOPSYS
Songs of Freedom takes us inside the world of Jamaican gays and lesbians and tells compelling stories of individuals courageously carving out meaningful lives, despite the taboo against their sexual identity.
SCREENINGS
Songs of Freedom was an official selection at several film festivals including: Walking In The Spirit Of My True Self Festival (Kingston, 2003), Get Reel Film Festival (Toronto, 2003), Reel Affirmations Film Festival (Washington D.C., 2003). For a complete list of screenings, click here: SCREENINGS.
REVIEWS
Read reviews of Songs of Freedom:
... • Xtra (Juanuary 2003)
... • MetroWeekly (April 2003)
... • Montreal Mirror (May 2003)
ORDER A COPY
Own your own copy of Songs of Freedom today! The documentary is available
on VHS and DVD.
Home Video – VHS.........$24.99 CDN........ $26.99 US
Home Video – DVD........ $34.99 CDN........ $36.99 US
Licensed for private viewing only.
Public Performance – VHS........ $44.99 CDN........ $48.50 US
Public Performance – DVD........ $54.99 CDN........ $59.50 US
Licensed for use in educational institutions, community groups and
organizations, etc., provided no admission fee is charged.
Click here for the ORDER FORM
OTHER USE
For other uses, including theatrical rights where an admission fee is to be charged, please contact Jahloveboy Productions.
PROMPT DELIVERY
Purchase orders are promptly filled within 3-5 working days of receipt of order form. Please complete the order form and forward it with your cheque or money order to:
Phillip Pike / Jahloveboy Productions
Suite 908 – 222 The Esplanade
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5A 4M8
SHIPPING & HANDLING
Please add $7.50 CDN (Canada), $10.50 US (USA) and $12.50 US (International) for shipping and handling for the first VHS. Please add $6.50 CDN (Canada), $9.50 US (USA) and $11.50 US (International) for shipping and handling for the first DVD. For additional copies, please contact us for shipping rates. All items are shipped via Canada Post First Class Mail, unless other arrangements are made.
For more information: jahloveboyproductions@yahoo.ca
COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS
All videos are protected by Canadian and international copyright laws. No video may be duplicated, altered, televised or shown with an admission fee without our prior written consent. Violation of copyright laws is against the law; it is also unethical.
Songs of Freedom, Canada, 2002, Video, 75 Minutes
Produced & Directed by Phillip Pike
Produced with the Assistance of:
... • The Canada Council for the Arts – Media Arts Section
... • The Ontario Arts Council
... • The National Film Board of Canada – Filmmaker Assistance Program
Distributed by: Jahloveboy Productions
SHORT SYNOPSYS
Songs of Freedom takes us inside the world of Jamaican gays and lesbians and tells compelling stories of individuals courageously carving out meaningful lives, despite the taboo against their sexual identity.
SCREENINGS
Songs of Freedom was an official selection at several film festivals including: Walking In The Spirit Of My True Self Festival (Kingston, 2003), Get Reel Film Festival (Toronto, 2003), Reel Affirmations Film Festival (Washington D.C., 2003). For a complete list of screenings, click here: SCREENINGS.
REVIEWS
Read reviews of Songs of Freedom:
... • Xtra (Juanuary 2003)
... • MetroWeekly (April 2003)
... • Montreal Mirror (May 2003)
ORDER A COPY
Own your own copy of Songs of Freedom today! The documentary is available
on VHS and DVD.
Home Video – VHS.........$24.99 CDN........ $26.99 US
Home Video – DVD........ $34.99 CDN........ $36.99 US
Licensed for private viewing only.
Public Performance – VHS........ $44.99 CDN........ $48.50 US
Public Performance – DVD........ $54.99 CDN........ $59.50 US
Licensed for use in educational institutions, community groups and
organizations, etc., provided no admission fee is charged.
Click here for the ORDER FORM
OTHER USE
For other uses, including theatrical rights where an admission fee is to be charged, please contact Jahloveboy Productions.
PROMPT DELIVERY
Purchase orders are promptly filled within 3-5 working days of receipt of order form. Please complete the order form and forward it with your cheque or money order to:
Phillip Pike / Jahloveboy Productions
Suite 908 – 222 The Esplanade
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5A 4M8
SHIPPING & HANDLING
Please add $7.50 CDN (Canada), $10.50 US (USA) and $12.50 US (International) for shipping and handling for the first VHS. Please add $6.50 CDN (Canada), $9.50 US (USA) and $11.50 US (International) for shipping and handling for the first DVD. For additional copies, please contact us for shipping rates. All items are shipped via Canada Post First Class Mail, unless other arrangements are made.
For more information: jahloveboyproductions@yahoo.ca
COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS
All videos are protected by Canadian and international copyright laws. No video may be duplicated, altered, televised or shown with an admission fee without our prior written consent. Violation of copyright laws is against the law; it is also unethical.
"They don't think about what we have together as love. How can you hate someone for loving someone else? It's ridiculous. It doesn't matter what sense it's in, it's still love. And that's all I have to say to everyone. What we have is love and we are sharing it."
So declare Denise, a young Jamaican lesbian who remains defiant in the face of a notoriously violent, homophobic society that threatens her safety and condemns the way she chooses to love. Songs of Freedom takes us inside Denise's world and that of other Jamaican gays and lesbians. It tells compelling stories of individuals courageously carving out meaningful lives, despite the taboo against their sexual identity. Instilled with an often contradictory sense of humour and anguish, these stories are about growing up, going to school, dating, and "coming out" in a country where one's individuality often collides with the dictates of family, community and religion. Still, Songs of Freedom does more than capture the conflict inherent in the lives of Jamaican lesbians and gays. Evoking the emancipative philosophy of the late Bob Marley, the documentary also conveys the unflinching sense of hope, love and camaraderie used by the people in front of the camera to compose their personal songs of freedom and redemption. We see them as whole persons, full of beauty, complexity and contradictions, always deserving of love and respect. In this sense, Songs of Freedom breaks new ground as the first documentary about gay life in Jamaica, even as it reflects the universal quest for human dignity in the face of oppression. Songs of Freedom features exclusive footage of a drag queen beauty contest. It also features a kick-ass soundtrack with original music composed by Toronto musician Quammie.
So declare Denise, a young Jamaican lesbian who remains defiant in the face of a notoriously violent, homophobic society that threatens her safety and condemns the way she chooses to love. Songs of Freedom takes us inside Denise's world and that of other Jamaican gays and lesbians. It tells compelling stories of individuals courageously carving out meaningful lives, despite the taboo against their sexual identity. Instilled with an often contradictory sense of humour and anguish, these stories are about growing up, going to school, dating, and "coming out" in a country where one's individuality often collides with the dictates of family, community and religion. Still, Songs of Freedom does more than capture the conflict inherent in the lives of Jamaican lesbians and gays. Evoking the emancipative philosophy of the late Bob Marley, the documentary also conveys the unflinching sense of hope, love and camaraderie used by the people in front of the camera to compose their personal songs of freedom and redemption. We see them as whole persons, full of beauty, complexity and contradictions, always deserving of love and respect. In this sense, Songs of Freedom breaks new ground as the first documentary about gay life in Jamaica, even as it reflects the universal quest for human dignity in the face of oppression. Songs of Freedom features exclusive footage of a drag queen beauty contest. It also features a kick-ass soundtrack with original music composed by Toronto musician Quammie.
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