Bob Marley\u2019s granddaughter Donisha Prendergast takes us on a quest to understand the roots of her grandfather\u2019s extraordinary legacy. She has long been committed to his longing for Zion, a place of One Love,<\/em> where people live in peace and harmony. But when she looks at the world around her, all she sees is injustice and suffering. Is Bob Marley\u2019s legacy even possible? In <\/strong>Reaching for Zion<\/em><\/strong>,<\/strong> Donisha confronts the roots<\/strong> of prejudice and present day struggles with poverty, racism and religious hatred. Along the way, Donisha uncovers Rastafari\u2019s intriguing connection to Judaism and delve into the music that expresses both people\u2019s suffering and joy. <\/strong> Rastas and Jews share beliefs about Old Testament redemption, the mystical properties of hair, and symbols like the Star of David and the Lion of Judah. Both also share a history of slavery and persecution. Through Donisha\u2019s quest, we recall the slavery of the Hebrews in Egypt, the transport of African slaves to the Caribbean, the <\/strong>persecution of Rastafari in Jamaica and Jews in European and Arab lands. Rastas identify with the Israelites\u2019 exile in Babylon; both Rastas and Jews <\/strong>have long struggled to feel safe and at home. <\/strong> With Donisha we also delve into the music that expresses both people\u2019s suffering and joy. Bob Marley, a musical prophet like King David, was deeply inspired by David\u2019s psalms, He adapted the ancient <\/strong>Hebrew laments against Babylon into reggae protest and freedom lyrics, and brought reggae music beyond Jamaica to every continent in the world. <\/strong> Like all Rastafarai, Donisha believes that Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia, was a direct descendant of David\u2019s son King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Fascinated by Solomon\u2019s legendary wisdom, Sheba travelled to the Holy Land to pit her wits against his. <\/strong>Since she was a girl, Donisha has dreamt of the African Queen, whose intellectual and spiritual connection with Solomon evolved into one of the most legendary romances in history. Donisha retraces Sheba\u2019s voyage to Israel, where she meets historians, archaeologists, musicologists and Israeli reggae musicians. She links up with Idan Raichel, whose music is a fusion of traditional Hebrew texts, Arab, Ethiopian and other world music. Together they share the exploration of their common legacy, the longing of Israelis, Palestinians and Ethiopians for home, and the music that expresses it. In Israel, Donisha encounters Ethiopian Jews, rescued by the Israelis, but still struggling to find their Zion in Israel. Back home in Jamaica, Donisha takes us to the first Rasta home, Pinnacle, established eighty years ago in Jamaica\u2019s brilliant green hills and now in danger of being destroyed. She dances to primal Rasta Nyabinghi drummers and in a scene exclusive to this film, Donisha attends a Reasoning, where Rastafari discuss the human\u2019s ability to transcend differences to freedom and redemption. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Donisha learns more about the meaning of Zion — a wandering people\u2019s longing for home. The longing began with the Jewish enslavement in \u201cBabylon\u201d. For over two millenium, Jews dreamt of returning to Israel. For Rastas, \u201cMi want to go home a mi yard,\u201d is Jamaican Patwa for their desire to go back to Africa. For many others, Zion is a spiritual, peaceful state of mind. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Donisha\u2019s quest finally brings her to other peoples who are also \u201creaching for Zion,\u201d like the Canadian native Nishiyuu Walkers, Tibetans in exile and Syrian refugees. The film expands to embrace Marley\u2019s idea of One Love and the understanding that everyone<\/em> needs a home where they are safe and free. Marley knew that to achieve this, we have to stop defining each other as us and them. We all yearn for the same freedom of body and soul. Created by the international-award-winning team of director Irene Angelico and producer Abbey Neidik, executive producers Honey Dresher and Patricia Scarlett, and writers Maurie Alioff and Irene Angelico, Reaching for Zion<\/em> is a musical journey featuring Bob Marley\u2019s songs, as well as other reggae, reggae revival, Israeli, Ethiopian, Native American and World Beat music. It evokes legends and potent beliefs, even as it asks probing questions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Synopsis<\/p>\n
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