late out the Gate, but its got good legs: Rise Up "gets" reggae

That much of the footage in this sprightly love letter to Jamaican culture dates back to 2004 should not be lost on viewers in Jamaica who go to check out Rise Up. Turbulence, one of three "up n' comers" profiled in Luciano Blotta's documentary has been out of the local limelight for a minute, and the other two, vocalist Kemoy, and "uptown Thug" Michael Ice Lewis and his compadres, collectively known as Ice Annastacia have not hitherto ahd any real presence in the public consciousness (despite the latter's opening gig at Reggae Sumfest).

It would be a real shame however, if audiences were to take that factor to heart and sleep on this film, for it has much to recommend it. Firstly, Blotta, who's already directed videos for Rootz Underground has an intrinsic understanding of the social, economic, cultural and spiritual underpinnings that have pushed reggae and Jamaican music in general to international recognition.

Second, though his shots include details of Kingston's slums and rural poverty, his treatment of the people whom he consults in this production, be they humble or exalted, is more than respectful - he's genuinely in tune with their idiosyncracies, their struggles, and their varying levels of national pride and the near universal desire to succeed through the music business.

The film does sag a bit toward th end and the not-so-enthusiastic Sumfest reception meted out to the Anastacia crew is a bummer, but Blotta saves it with a neat exchange between the aspiring Kemoy and singer-songwriter Suzanne Couch.

Rise Up may hold few surprises on the surface, but underneath the streetcorner testimonials, the dancehall clips, the inevitable puffs of weed and the location shots (gorgeous) is a deeply affirming work that ought to remind us of why it is we have managed to "rise up" in the first place