Safaree wants to do more local films

Jamaican-American reality TV star and rapper Safaree said his debut in a local-made, internationally-featured movie, is a way of "bridging the gap" between cultures and talents.

Speaking with THE STAR just moments before he went on set on Friday, Safaree, who just flew in for his role in the movie Redeemed, expressed great delight in being back home to contribute to the arts.

"It's a surreal feeling because sometimes I get a chance to be a part a lot of things and there's so much that goes into it, but I'm not able to let it sink in and absorb the amazing opportunity. Growing up, being raised in a Jamaican home and watching all the movies I'd grew up watching, who wouldn't wanna be in a Jamaican film? It's a grateful feeling," said Safaree, who has roots in Hanover. While sitting in costume, Safaree observed not just the raw chemistry on set but the level of discipline among his colleagues.

"One thing about working with Jamaican people, they are very serious about their job. They are very organised and very professional. In America, the people they do their job but they look like they can't wait to go on lunch break. But over here is like, everybody is just ready to put in the work," he said, opining that that's the same "Jamaican hustler blood" which saw him starting his first job at age 13.

He described his character 'Knox', as "a bad bwoy dealer in the underworld of the drug game". He then explained how he prepared himself for the role.

"When I was younger, everybody used to sell weed and I tried it and it wasn't for me," he laughed. "So with this role I had to dig deep and think about where my father was for most of his life and channel that. The character I'm playing, I feel like that's who my father was in real life and I saw it. I was witness to it so I used to see drugs but I didn't know it was drugs because I was a kid." However, he quickly added that his father has since turned his life around and is now a servant of God.

His father's 180-degree turn is similar to Redeeme d's plot, as the crime drama, faith-based film exposes the power of God and how, through His healing, forgiveness and love, everyone can be redeemed. Safaree said that he could relate to all the film's themes - including betrayal and forgiveness - as his whole life is like a movie and he doesn't get to live much in private.

In Redeemed, Safaree's cast mates include Hollywood actor Malik Yoba, local veteran actors Michael 'String Bean' Nicholson, Cornelius Grant, and Justin Awn, social media personality Julie Mango, and gospel-dancehall artiste, Prince Saj.

Safaree credits the film's producer Jacinth Headlam on her choice of using original Jamaican acts to dominate this film, while exposing the "real yawd style" and natural aesthetics of the island.

"Before, you'd always have people from London and Bahamas playing Jamaicans in movies in America, and growing up, that's something I always hated and used to be like, 'Why they don't get Jamaicans to do it?' But that's what I'm talking about when I say bridging the gap from America to Jamaica and Jamaica to America to tie in the [culture] and I feel like I'm the best person to give them the best of both worlds," he said.

Safaree added that he recently started developing a passion for acting after seeing his first movie being played on the big screen and he plans to take on more acting projects, including in Jamaica.

"I'm down for it and I love it. Once we have a place where we can sit in some AC during the whole time, I'm cool - just gimmie some AC, some coconut wata and two patties and I'm good," he smiled.