Before there was reggae music in Jamaica, there was ‘rocksteady’, a slow and easy answer to the hectic pace of life that developed in the Caribbean in the 1960s.The Bermuda Documentary Film Festival Weekend Film Series will be showing a documentary about this musical time period called ‘Rocksteady; The Roots of Reggae’.“Rocksteady was popular in Jamaica after the popularity of ska music but before reggae took off,” said film series organiser Duncan Hall. “The rocksteady era is the bridge between ska music and reggae music. One of the most interesting aspects of the film is the perspective it provides about the pervasive influence of the rocksteady era on popular music.“Not only was rocksteady slowed-down ska and the precursor to reggae, but songs made popular by other artists have their roots in rocksteady. Blondie’s hit song, ‘The Tide is High’, was originally a rocksteady song by The Paragons, featuring lead singer John Holt. And Boney M’s hit, ‘The Rivers of Babylon’, was originally by rocksteady artist, Hopeton Lewis.”Mr Hall said reggae music put Jamaica on the musical map, internationally, but it was slow and soulful rocksteady that developed the buoyant rhythms, prominent base pulse, soulful vocals and socially conscious lyrics that gave reggae its power.“Often referred to as Jamaica’s golden age of music, the 1966-69 era of rocksteady should be seen in the context of Jamaica’s development as a nation,” said Mr Hall.The film features artists such as Stranger Cole, Hopeton Lewis, Leroy Sibbles, Marcia Griffiths, Derrick Morgan, Judy Mowatt, Dawn Penn, U-Roy, Rita Marley, and more. In this film, they reunite in Kingston, Jamaica to record an album of their greatest hits, prepare for a reunion concert, and tell their story. Featuring personal and group reminiscences, interviews, live and in-studio music, and colourful images of contemporary Jamaica, this rich and rewarding music documentary is a treat.The film series will also show ‘Your Sister’s Sister’ a romantic comedy by Sundance award-winning director Lynn Shelton.“With raw, funny and emotional performances from the all-star cast of Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt and Mark Duplass, this delightful film explores the complexities of interpersonal relationships while gently poking fun at the characters’ predicaments,” said Mr Hall.In the film, when Jack (Duplass) makes a scene at a memorial party for his late brother Tom, Iris (Blunt, Tom’s ex-girlfriend) offers the family cabin in the Pacific Northwest so that Jack can seek catharsis in solitude. When he arrives, he finds Hannah (Iris’ sister), who is reeling from the end of a seven-year relationship. They bond over a long night, but things get complicated when Iris’ sudden presence at the cabin the next morning sets into motion a twisted tale of ever-complicated relationships.The films will be shown on September 16 at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI). ‘Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae’ will screen at 3pm, while ‘Your Sister’s Sister’ will screen at 5.15pm . Tickets, $15, can be purchased in the Oceans Gift Shop at the BUEI, or by calling 297-7314.See film trailers at www.bermudadocs.com.