From “Akwantu: the Journey,” “Queen Nanny,” to “The Life and Legacy of Marcus Garvey,” Jamaican-born director Roy T. Anderson has been a catalyst for spreading the word about Jamaica’s unsung heroes.
It’s no surprise the award-winning filmmaker is uniting the Jamaican film community after the catastrophic hurricane destroyed many areas of the island.
Anderson, a former Hollywood stuntman, who was born in the district of Ridge Pen, St. Elizabeth, is not only spearheading a campaign to raise funds for families and individuals who’ve lost homes and livelihoods, he is working on a film called “Let’s Rebuild: Jamaica Strong,” documenting the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
“This story means a lot to me personally, as some of my family and friends were directly affected by the storm,” says Anderson, who has performed daring stunts in more than 100 movies and television shows from “Boardwalk Empire,” “American Gangster,” “Spiderman 2,” to “Bourne Ultimatum,” and served as a stunt double for Will Smith and Denzel Washington.
Last month, Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 5 storm in Jamaica with wind speeds of 185 miles per hour, causing extensive damage and leaving behind a trail of destruction.
“This isn’t just about rebuilding homes, it’s about restoring hope and showing the world the strength of Jamaican communities—our ability to stand together, recover, and rise again.”
Alongside fellow filmmakers Jahsen Levy and Clinton Smith, “Let’s Rebuild: Jamaica Strong” will raise funds and document the journey of recovery, as residents of the most affected areas receive assistance with relocation, food, clean water and medical supplies.
Anderson’s first feature “Akwantu: the Journey,” told a story about the history of the Maroons, Jamaican freedom fighters who fought for independence from the British Army. The film received the Best Feature Documentary at the 2012 Belize International Film Festival. His next film, “Queen Nanny,” was about Jamaica’s female National Heroine. His latest film, “The Life and Legacy of Marcus Garvey” shined a spotlight on Jamaica’s first National Hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, the political activist who dedicated his life to the mission of redeeming Africa.
Much like Spike Lee’s “When the Levees Broke” after Hurricane Katrina, “Let’s Rebuild: Jamaica Strong,” will give audiences a firsthand look at the power of local recovery.
“This is more than disaster relief – it’s an investment to empower local residents and build stronger, safer, and more resilient communities.”
For more information on Anderson’s mission visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/lets-rebuild-jamaica-strong
Samantha Ofole-Prince is a journalist and movie critic who covers industry-specific news that includes television and film. She serves as the Entertainment Editor for Trendy Africa.
