The First Rasta
Le Premier rasta
Synopsis
Going far beyond the standard imagery of Rasta—ganja, reggae, and dreadlocks—this cultural history offers an uncensored vision of a movement with complex roots and the exceptional journey of a man who taught an enslaved people how to be proud and impose their culture on the world. In the 1920s Leonard Percival Howell and the First Rastas had a revelation concerning the divinity of Haile Selassie, king of Ethiopia, that established the vision for the most popular mystical movement of the 20th century, Rastafarianism. Although jailed, ridiculed, and treated as insane, Howell, also known as the Gong, established a Rasta community of 4,500 members, the first agro-industrial enterprise devoted to producing marijuana. In the late 1950s the community was dispersed, disseminating Rasta teachings throughout the ghettos of the island. A young singer named Bob Marley adopted Howell's message, and through Marley's visions, reggae made its explosion in the music world.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Official Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2011-11-24
Top Cast
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Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Christophe Farnarier, Hélène Lee
- Screenplay & Story
- Hélène Lee
- Original Title
- Le Premier rasta
- Spoken Languages
- English, French
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Christophe Farnarier, Hélène Lee
Hélène Lee
Christophe Farnarier
Nini Ranaivoarivony
Alexandre Perrier, Percy Yip Tong
Department Leadership Roster
Christophe Farnarier
Director
Hélène Lee
Director
Christophe Farnarier
Director of Photography
Nini Ranaivoarivony
Editor
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The First Rasta.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The First Rasta
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The First Rasta about?
Going far beyond the standard imagery of Rasta—ganja, reggae, and dreadlocks—this cultural history offers an uncensored vision of a movement with complex roots and the exceptional journey of a man who taught an enslaved people how to be proud and impose their culture on the world. In the 1920s Leonard Percival Howell and the First Rastas had a revelation concerning the divinity of Haile Selassie, king of Ethiopia, that established the vision for the most popular mystical movement of the 20th century, Rastafarianism. Although jailed, ridiculed, and treated as insane, Howell, also known as the Gong, established a Rasta community of 4,500 members, the first agro-industrial enterprise devoted to producing marijuana. In the late 1950s the community was dispersed, disseminating Rasta teachings throughout the ghettos of the island. A young singer named Bob Marley adopted Howell's message, and through Marley's visions, reggae made its explosion in the music world.
Who directed The First Rasta?
The First Rasta was directed by Christophe Farnarier, Hélène Lee.
Who stars in The First Rasta?
The principal cast of The First Rasta includes The Abyssinians, Leonard Percival Lowell, Marcus Garvey, Max Romeo.
When was The First Rasta released and how long is it?
The First Rasta was released in 2011 with a total runtime of 1h 26m.
Is The First Rasta based on a book or true story?
The First Rasta is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Hélène Lee".