The first film on Jamaica’s 2022 ‘Dancehall Ban’ – featuring six artists and two filmmakers and shot over ten days in Jamaica. Featuring AI Milly, Yaadcore, Samory I, Kurt Reilly, King Kush and Chendin.
“British filmmakers Freddie Stewart and Gene Kavanagh are adding context to the prohibition through their documentary Strictly Prohibited.” Dancehall Mag
As part of their “commitment to keep their airwaves free of harmful content”, Broadcasting Commission Jamaica prohibited the nation’s radio and television stations from “playing music that glorifies lottery scamming, illegal guns and the use of the drug Molly.”
A brand new production team delves deep into the garrisons of Kingston, Portmore and Spanish Town to unpack the impact of the 2022 ‘ban’, offering up access to Jamaica’s leading artists, entrepreneurs, producers and radio stalwarts as they respond to the establishment’s crackdown on their creative freedom, their livelihoods and very possibly their liberty.
Filmed over ten days on location in Jamaica, with unlimited access to world-class dancehall & contemporary reggae artists, including AI Milly, Yaadcore, Samory I, Kurt Reilly, King Kush Studios and Chendin; the film premiered with a press screening on 8 March at The Ritzy, Brixton, London. It was featured in Dancehall Magazine on 2 May and is now streaming via YouTube.
RTKAL of production partner MBC said to Dancehall Magazine: “What makes this documentary special is that it was driven by people who were passionate to talk on the subject but also represented multiple generations and various positions on the spectrum within dancehall music. We didn’t want to only speak to artists that had been directly affected; we felt it was imperative to get the opinions of other professionals within the scene.”
‘Strictly Prohibited’ has also been selected to appear at the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival between 6 June and 30 June 2023. The festival, now in its 4th year, will have over 40 screenings and talks across 5 cities.
‘Strictly Prohibited’ was shot by award-winning documentary mavericks from the UK – Freddie Stewart and Gene Kavanagh – with showreels featuring work with leading artists, including the Friendly Fire 2022 Commonwealth Games music video.
This new film is produced by award-winning Music and Arts agency PUNCH in partnership with record label MBC, and Drop Top Records.
Punch is the UK’s leading Music and Arts agency. Punch commits to working with Black Music, Arts and Culture through four central ‘pillars’ – Creating, Touring, Programming and Educating through award-winning tours, festivals, international projects and innovative development programmes for young people.
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