Review of 65 years of a Jamaican legend who starred alongside Sidney Poitier, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff as well as directing her own films
‘Esther Anderson in Conversation’ is curated and presented by African Odysseys in celebration of 20 years of monthly, Black history film exhibition.
Esther Anderson is a Jamaican superstar legend of film, photography and music with 65 years in the business. Smashing barriers in 1960s London, this beauty queen turned her hand to deejaying in London clubs, TV presenting and dancing in the 1970s; co-starring with Sidney Poitier in the powerful drama A Warm December; hanging out with Harry Belafonte, Marlon Brando, Joan Collins and the Rolling Stones. She co-produced The Making of A Legend, featuring Bob Marley with whom she had a relationship, and members of the Wailers, like Peter Tosh. She helped write lyrics for some of Bob Marley’s songs, and to produce some of his albums, photographing some of the most iconic covers for them. She coached the young Jimmy Cliff into the role of Ivan for the groundbreaking hit film The Harder they Come (now a hit musical at Stratford theatre) which helped introduce Jamaican music the world. Esther was Oscar-nominated and won a NAACP [National Association for the Advancement of Colored People] award in 1973.
There is much more to her incredible story and in this very rare public appearance we will review her career with audience participation, film clips, photos and contributions from Writer, Publisher Dr Michelle Asantewa.
Watch trailer for her film Bob Marley Making of a Legend’ HERE
Watch her co starring with Sidney Poitier (1973) HERE
Watch short video about her life story HERE
Watch the trailer for The Harder They Come which she produced HERE
‘Esther Anderson in Conversation’ is an African Odysseys event and part of our 20th anniversary of screening monthly educational African disapora films since 2007. Previously at the BFI Southbank for 18 years, African Odysseys is now hosting films across London due to systemic racism at the BFI which cancelled the popular,monthly programme there despite almost 20,000 people lobbying for its preservation. There will be an update on the campaign at the event.Full details HERE
Other coming films
- African Odysseys: How to Fight Racism at the BFI, British Film Institute
- African Odysseys: Ismahil Blagrove season London gun crime and Cuban revolution
- 50 years of Struggle Professor Gus John
- Black history Bus tour/ Steam train trip/River cruise
- Frantz Fanon film and talk Weekender
- Black Women and Film Exhibition
- Graphic Novels: Publishing Black History and movies
- Mayfair, Hackney,Notting Hill, Southbank, Trafalgar Square, Regents Canal and Soho walks
- African Women Spirituality @Fulham Palace
- Kumba drumming @Fulham Palace.
- I fought the law and I won, a Black judge of 60 years of Equality legislation
- Champion Black Bowers and businessmen in 1800s London: African Odyssey
These event also recognises 61 years since the first event Race Relations Act 1965