Perry Henzell's Film The Harder They Come

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Perry Henzell's Film The Harder They Come

Perry Henzell's film 'The Harder They Come' is an excellent resource

for those students studying other cultures since this is a film that

portrays how the cultures of many countries have been destroyed by the

'western onslaught', as the writer of 'The Bone Setter' puts it.

The young Ivan Martin (Jimmy Cliff) enters Kingston with dreams of

fame and fortune. He believes that he "can get it if he really wants".

He dreams of the kind of fame a pop star might expect in these days.

His mother, whom he visits right at the beginning of his life in

Kingston, tries to warn him of the difficulties ahead, but his

confidence in his obvious talent to sing overrides her warning.

Text Box: However, as he tries to get a job, he is constantly

disappointed. The Western influence on Jamaica seems to have taken

over everything. Those Jamaicans that do have talent are suppressed by

'Mr. Hilton', the half-white man in charge of the soundtracks

released. The Western influence ensures that the American...

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