‘Dreadtown’ Traces the Influence of Classic Reggae Band Steel Pulse
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Logline: “Dreadtown” is a feature documentary that tells the story of British reggae group Steel Pulse, who emerged from the racial turbulence of 1970s Britain to become one of the world’s most loved and timeless reggae bands.
Elevator Pitch:
David Hinds joins film director Yoni Gal and Oscar® nominated producer, Mike Lerner, to ask for assistance in finishing the film about Steel Pulse’s 40-year legacy. “Dreadtown” has been in the making for several years and fans have been eagerly awaiting its release. Hours of unseen archive and footage has been discovered and sourced from friends, family and fans of Steel Pulse. “Dreadtown” promises to be a significant document in time on the history of one of the most exciting musical genres in the world today.
Production Team:
Director: Yoni Gal
Raised between the UK and Anguilla, a small island in the Caribbean, Yoni has had a lifelong passion for film and studied Film & TV Production at the University of Westminster in London. Since graduating, Yoni has produced a number of projects internationally, focusing at first on music promos for well-established artists in the USA, Jamaica and West Africa.
Producer: Mike Lerner
Oscar® nominated Mike Lerner has been making films since 1988 and has won many awards including an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature in 2012 (“The Square”), six Sundance awards, an Emmy, two Grierson Awards for Best Documentary and an Independent Spirit Award.
About the Film:
As 2015 marks 40 years since Steel Pulse first performed in Handsworth, Birmingham, we can reflect on how much our planet has changed over the last four decades. The philosophies and knowledge that reggae music brought them in their formative years changed their lives forever. So many of the issues that Steel Pulse had to deal with are more relevant and urgent than ever today. Topics like race, immigration and social justice dominate our collective consciousness, and Steel Pulse’s musical message can now be of great benefit to a new generation, seeking to learn from history.
Current Status: The BFI have also contributed towards our budget but now we need to finish the film and are using Indiegogo.
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