Chicago Premiere:The Story of Lover’s Rock

The Story of Lover’s Rock
UK 2011, 96 min
Director: Menelik Shabazz

This is first and foremost a film about Black Social Dance. The US parallel would be the “slow-dance,” the “Bop,” “Sunset Bop.”  Under dark blue or red lights in a crowded room young men and women came together to experience the ritual intimacy of dance, flirtation and love to the sound of romantic music.

Lovers Rock, often dubbed ‘romantic reggae’ is a uniquely black British sound that developed in the late 70s and 80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems. Live performance, comedy sketches, dance, interviews and archive shed light on the music and the generation that embraced it. Lovers Rock allowed young people to experience intimacy and healing through dance- known as ‘scrubbing’- at parties and clubs. This dance provided a coping mechanism for what was happening on the streets. Lovers Rock developed into a successful sound with national UK hits and was influential to British bands (Police, Culture Club, UB40) These influences underline the impact the music was making in bridging the multi-cultural gap that polarized the times. The film sheds light on a forgotten period of British music, social and political history.

All screenings are followed by lively discussions moderated by program director Floyd Webb or Cecilia Horde along with local scholars, screenwriters and directors.

Screenings are the first Wednesday at
ICE Theaters Lawndale
3330 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60624

Screenings are the first Thursday at
ICE Theaters Chatham 14
210 W. 87th Street, Chicago, IL 60620