One of the first people to sculpt the sound of reggae and roots mixed with dub, Lee “Scratch” Perry is the star and subject of an upcoming film titled, Lee Scratch Perry’s Vision of Paradise. The movie is said to be “A thrilling, poetic narration with the legendary Lee Scratch Perry.
Listed as one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, in
2004, Perry is still pertinent nearly a decade later. Jamaica recently bestowed the award of, the Order of Distinction, Jamaica’s sixth highest honor, recognition for his endless work for music in Jamaican and worldwide, as well as always lending a helping hand to the community.
The award was received with plenty of merit and accolades attached, but Perry has been leading this life since the early 1950s inside Jamaica’s famous Studio 1 recording studio, which featured the likes of Bob Marley and The Wailers, to name the most prominent act. However, “Scratch” has carried his famed humbly, even with a film director following every step of the musical legend’s career for the past 13 years.
As the director, Volker Schaner, based in Berlin, Germany stated, “[I found] a story that is almost impossible to believe: a revelation, told about and with one of the major protagonists of contemporary music. The movie can be seen as a guide for how to change the world with music – with a positive attitude, mindset or, as Lee Perry calls it: “vibration”.
In regards to the subject, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Schaner described his passion for the film simply, “I was 14 when I discovered the music of Lee Perry and Bob Marley, and as a German teenager, it changed my life. Since then it has always been my greatest dream to make a film with Lee Perry, whose mastery also lies behind so many Bob Marley songs. Now, 30 years later, we are about to finish this very extraordinary project and finally fulfill this dream. For the past 13 years I have been going to his house regularly, equipped with my camera and microphone. Over the years we became friends and now we are looking at an immense collection of intimate footage full of surprise, excitement and poetry. The making of this movie has been a long and deep process revealing a shy and extravagant artist who is commonly regarded as a genius.”
The film is complete and is in the post-production phase, however, the director is hosting a kickstarter campaign to urge fans that “Being part of this movie is unique: the movie will always be the most intimate, extensive and fascinating adventure you can possibly have with Lee Perry, one of the most special and influential artists of all times.”
For more information regarding Lee “Scratch” Perry and the Kickstarter campaign, follow the links below!
Lee “Scratch” Perry Links
Lee “Scratch” Perry Editorials
Lee “Scratch” Perry Website
Lee “Scratch” Perry Facebook
Lee “Scratch” Perry Kickstarter
Article By: Kris Siuta
Watch: Lee “Scratch” Perry – Kickstarter Video