"Africa is my home," says Rita Marley, a lifelong Jamaican and wife of one of the most beloved musicians of all time. "All of Africa."
In honor of Bob Marley's 60th birthday celebration, the reggae great's family gathers with African big-wigs in Ethiopia to stage a series of talks and a mega-concert in an attempt to, as the film's title suggests, unite the nation. Director Stephanie Black wisely uses the trip as an opportunity to share the messages of peace with a wider audience in need of enlightenment on the African struggle by turning it into the documentary
Africa Unite.
The event is a wonderful opportunity for the once European-dominated continent (the patchwork county colonization is likened to a quilt) to be AFRICA once again. Bob wanted that to happen. Rita admits that it's "not her idea. It's Bob's idea." In the process, the Marleys, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Danny Glover, Lauryn Hill, and many African notables whip the country into an Obama-esque frenzy of hope. The revolutionary mindset that Bob was successfully able to establish in Jamaica is the driving force behind the Africa Unite mission and everyone on camera appears to be in agreement on attaining a positive final result.
Marley's sons do an impeccable job of channeling the musical wonder of their late father and the concert audience is enthralled by the performances. However, it's these elements that also detract from the film's overall chemistry. The concert footage often features sluggish cinematography, intended to create some kind of memorable effect, but instead resembles the lowest of low budget filmmaking.
In addition, post production choices that intend to further the film's social issues instead prove lethal. Subtitles during stock video of Bob's "War" indicating that it was inspired by Emperor Haile Selassie's speech at the U.N. in 1963 is far from necessary, especially since it's placed immediately after archival footage of Selassie's speech. The words of each respective lyrical showcase align...and then we're hit over the head with a reminder. In a way, it's insulting to an audience in-step with Bob's humanitarian efforts.
As the Marleys reiterate, "Africa must unite NOW." To paraphrase the film's closing Selassie quote, it is the inaction of those who should have stood up for what was right that hurts the most.
The intention is wonderful, but it doesn't translate into a successful documentary.