We know Perry Henzell the filmmaker, director of the cult film "The Harder They Come" with Jimmy Cliff and of "No Place Like Home"; we know Perry Henzell the author less well.
Having died in 2006, Perry Henzell published his first novel, "Power Game", in 1982, now finally translated into French. Written ten years after "The Harder They Come", "Power Game" was meant to close the trilogy Perry Henzell had planned, after he failed to see "No Place Like Home" through to release.
The title chosen for the French edition, "Get Up Stand Up !”, conveys less of the political dimension of the original title (« Jeu de pouvoir », "Power Game"). We follow Zack Clay, an international star returning to his home country, ravaged by violence, poverty and the corruption of its elites. It is hard not to draw a parallel with Bob Marley and Jamaica… Power is the key word of this book: the power shared among Mark, Winston, Michelle, Eddie IZion and Zack, who each play their part in the chaos that sets in, against a backdrop of drugs, music, sex and politics.
“Get Up Stand Up !” by Perry Henzell
Sonatine Editions
Available since 19 June
€23