Ching Pow: genuine Jamaican entertainment

File – Paul ‘Tu-Lox’ Gaynor (right), Patrick ‘Curly Lox’ Gaynor left) and and Bruce Hart stand beside the big screen shortly before one of the showings of Ching Pow: Far East Yardies.

Curtis Campbell, Staff Reporter

In a few years time, according tothe movie ‘Ching Pow: Far East Yardies’, many Jamaicans will have to migrate to the Far East Japan because it will be the only country willing to accept us after our economy has fallen.

The migration of Jamaicans to the Far East will merge cultures, which brings us to Ching Pow, a movie in which Japanese speak Jamaican Creole and are responsive to Jamaican experiences in similar fashion.

The work of Twin of Twins’ usually covers dancehall culture and truthfully it would have been awkward if Ching Pow didn’t. Japan also happens to be one of dancehall’s biggest markets for dancehall music,and have given birth to several Japanese dancehall artistes, who like the characters in Ching Pow, appear to be ignorant to the English Language, but can recite Patios effortlessly, especially the Jamaican curse words which are gradually becoming universal due to its presence in Jamaican music.

The film is basically a remake of 1980s trilogy Ninja Death which was originally set in Taiwan, therefore there are no images of Jamaica. What the production guru Bruce Hart and Twin of Twins managed to do, was to forge ideas to tell an old story from a refreshing Jamaican perspective, in the process giving new life to an antique film. The artistes and producer use colourful characters and language to paint a picture that hundreds of patrons turned out at Theatre Place to criticise, analyse and enjoy recently.

public figures

The characters are all familiar voices of public figures and musicians, as Twin of Twins, though credited as the stars, still managed to share the spotlight with others by way of utilising their unique vocals as voice overs. For example, recording artiste Round Head had no role in the film, however his vocal sound was the voice of Ching Pow’s leading character First Born.

Other notable voices were those of Ian Boyne, Reneto Adams, Mutabaruka as Bad Muta and Bob Marley as Master Bob. Arguably the Twins were on point with their character selection and the voices used to represent them, it made perfect sense that Bob Marley’s sound was used as the inspirational leader who wanted to guide his people in the right path and Reneto Adams’ sound was used to represent a fierce warrior.

editing error

Never mind that the lips of the actors were out of sync with the raw Jamaican patios in most instances, after all this was a ‘kickers’. For those who are ignorant to what those type of films offered in the ’80s and ’90s, many were out of sync with the English language because they were originally filmed to target an Asian audience, but were later translated so that the material can be understood by the western market. This history and reputation worked in the favour of Ching Pow, as Twin of Twins and Bruce Hart, were able to tell their story, without fear of criticism that there was a grave editing error which caused the lips to be out of sync … because this is norm and standard for films of this nature and history backs that analogy.

The film will be frowned upon by many because of its language, some will also grapple with the storyline which in some instances might be offensive to a particular group of people. However, any hardcore fan of dancehall music and Twin of Twins will appreciate the concept. The film is rated using a self imposed measuring stick ‘No Pickney’ by Twin of Twins. This means it is only to be viewed by adults.

Patrick Gaynor of the duo perhaps said it best in a previous Gleaner interview, when asked if he was worried about backlash for the content of film. “If you are a fan you will go out and watch it, it is genuine Jamaican entertainment, not the generic crap, Twin of Twins represents real Jamaican entertainment and that is what we do,” he toldThe WEEKEND STAR after the effort joined a long list of locally-produced films snubbed by Palace Amusement.

Despite the fact that some critics will be upset about the language and explicit messages, ironically it would appear that much of the humour from the comedic film came from scenes in which the usage of Patois and Jamaican curse words were at peak. Jamaicans have always found it amusing to see Caucasians and Asians trying to speak patois, especially when they opt to spew the popular curse words.

colourful patois

Well Ching Pow was an hour filled with that ironic yet amusing image, and judging by the loud laughs in the theatre, the Jamaicans who turned out enjoyed every bit of the concept. After all this is the only film in which you will see a character channelling the vocals of Bob Marley under the skin of an Asian karate expert and spewing some colourful Patois and curse words.

Fans of Twin of Twins’ Stir it Up series will hardly find complaints about the film. However there is a lot to be critical about if persons are not fans and simply wanted to watch a regular movie. Critics, who are not fans of the Twins’ work, will most likely complain about the extensive use of curse words and the homophobic behaviours of some of the characters. But what could one expect of a film that toys with the culture of Jamaican music and its personalities. For the target audience, Ching Pow, is good dancehall comedy.

positive themes

Despite the comedic elements, the film pays attention to positive themes of loyalty, determination and self belief. Bob Marley’s voice was used as the medium through which much of the positive messages were sent, and this may, or may not have been the initial intention of the Twins and Bruce Hart. However, imitating Marley’s voice to send positive messages, gave the viewers the feeling as if the production team was paying respect to the late reggae icon, or validating the idea that he was indeed a freedom fighter and a positive role model.

“With confidence the battle is won before it begins,” was one of notable quotes said by the Twins while impersonating the voice of Bob Marley.

With American movies dominating the viewership in Jamaica at present, this might be the first Jamaican and Karate movie to become viral in many years. The CD will not be released until the Twins have finished touring several parishes and airing the film personally, understandably since Twin of Twins have suffered at the hands of bootleggers, arguably more than any other local artiste, each time they release a new project.

The film has temporarily given life to the Jamaican appreciation of 80s and 90s Karate films, only because of its unique story line and the language, temporarily, because contemporary movie goers will only be attracted to vague karate stunts, poor quality picture and outdated sound effects for so long. Movie goers will only make this exception for Twin of Twins and Ching Pow: Far East Yardies.

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Ching Pow: genuine Jamaican entertainment