Dancehall Queen (1997)

80% of users liked it
(3,706 ratings)

In this Jamaican melodrama, single mother Marcia (Audrey Reid) works as a street vendor to support her two daughters. However, she also needs the financial assist of "Uncle" Larry (Carl Davis), who demands repayments in the form of sex with Marcia's teen daughter Tanya. After Marcia's vending stall… More In this Jamaican melodrama, single mother Marcia (Audrey Reid) works as a street vendor to support her two daughters. However, she also needs the financial assist of "Uncle" Larry (Carl Davis), who demands repayments in the form of sex with Marcia's teen daughter Tanya. After Marcia's vending stall is threatened by brutal tough Priest (Paul Campbell), she devises a retaliatory plan. The dressmaker Mrs. Gordon (Pauline Stone-Myrie) sews a sexy costume so Marcia can compete for the cash prize in the Dancehall Queen contest. When no one recognizes her in this outfit, she uses the disguise to pit Priest and Larry against each other. Shown at the 1997 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Audrey Reid, Carl Bradshaw
Written By: Ed Wallace, Don Letts, Suzanne Fenn
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Oct 10, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Sep 22, 1998
Studio: Palm Pictures

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
This simplistic but high-spirited and colorful Jamaican film tells the story of a humble street vendor who finds an unusual way of getting her family out of the harrowing violent-ridden ghetto she lives in.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though not particularly good, Dancehall Queen offers an opportunity to see a film from Jamaica, a rare sight even in international film festivals

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lady D

Love this film, anyone into Ragga/Dancehall will love the music. There are some funny bits, with a serious storyline too
Lesley N

FIrst feature film by Don Letts, English DJ and the man responsible for introducing reggae to the British punk scene. The plot is a simple cinderella story ...non-descript beer seller makes good as dancehall queen and escapes the bad guys. - and there's strong accents and basic… More
FIrst feature film by Don Letts, English DJ and the man responsible for introducing reggae to the British punk scene. The plot is a simple cinderella story ...non-descript beer seller makes good as dancehall queen and escapes the bad guys. - and there's strong accents and basic acting, but there's also colourful directing, infectious music, eye-watering costumes and outrageous dancing. Yummy.