ACP-EU cooperation support programme for the ACP cinema and audiovisual sectors (ACP FILMS)
RAS KASSA - Director
ACP LOCATION: Jamaica
Bio: As a young boy growing up on the gritty streets of Kingston, director, Ras Kassa admired the many talents his country spawned; in particularly, Bob Marley and Perry Henzell. In perhaps one of those kismet moments Ras Kassa a.k.a. The Guru is now one of the talents many Jamaican kids are looking up to. As The Guru Films Chairman and Senior Director who is ironically based in Perry’s old office and responsible for most of the Marley families most successful videos to date!
His 2005 Directorial of Damian Marley's track "Welcome to Jamrock" was an international success with global airplay and scores of music video award nominations. The video, which Ras Kassa conceived, directed, edited and hand-coloured, sparked a storm of controversy and discussion.
The Jamaica Tourist Board saws it as a subversive and a negative image of the island – and a juxtaposition to the beautiful beach and sun image of their media campaign. The influence of this gritty docu-style genre opened the flood gates for a tidal wave of music videos depicting the garrison life. Three years on, and the video is still studied in universities, and has over one million plays on YouTube. .
ACP LOCATION: Jamaica
Bio: As a young boy growing up on the gritty streets of Kingston, director, Ras Kassa admired the many talents his country spawned; in particularly, Bob Marley and Perry Henzell. In perhaps one of those kismet moments Ras Kassa a.k.a. The Guru is now one of the talents many Jamaican kids are looking up to. As The Guru Films Chairman and Senior Director who is ironically based in Perry’s old office and responsible for most of the Marley families most successful videos to date!
His 2005 Directorial of Damian Marley's track "Welcome to Jamrock" was an international success with global airplay and scores of music video award nominations. The video, which Ras Kassa conceived, directed, edited and hand-coloured, sparked a storm of controversy and discussion.
The Jamaica Tourist Board saws it as a subversive and a negative image of the island – and a juxtaposition to the beautiful beach and sun image of their media campaign. The influence of this gritty docu-style genre opened the flood gates for a tidal wave of music videos depicting the garrison life. Three years on, and the video is still studied in universities, and has over one million plays on YouTube. .