Outdeh – The Youth of Jamaica (Louis Josek, 2019) Jamaica

Review by Christiana Leonardo. Viewed at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2020.

Outdeh, directed by Louis Josek, a German who surfs, travelled to Jamaica for a few years filming this project with The Youth of Jamaica. Following three young men from impoverished parts of Jamaica it gives the viewer a perspective on the reality of trying to make something of yourself given the circumstances these boys have.

The film opens with some stunning shots of the luscious green jungle, the drums sounding in the mountains and the lively streets and markets of the people in Jamaica. Following two boys from Tivoli, one has become a semi successful musician in Jamaica working his way up to spreading his music around the world and aiming to inspire those in his country. The other is working hard to go to school and look out for his family through the support of a neighborhood “boss” who you pay back in favours. The third young man lives a bit more north in a coastal village where he grew up learning to surf and is on the path of becoming a pro surfer.

The really stunning  videography is paired with the musician man’s music (a bit too intense a flavor for the white and elder crowd at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival) really created an Aesthetic for this film, Outdeh.

The storyline was incredibly weak and did not allow the viewer to see into the lives of these young men, it felt like the big picture was cut for time.  We weren’t allowed to get connected to any character do to these perceived limitations. The lack of organization left an unsettled feeling in me viewing this film. While exposed to a culture I had never before seen I think this story was not as in depth as I would have hoped.

 


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