Directed by Oliver Hill, this intriguing documentary presents a fresh perspective of Rastafarian worldview, in an attempt to shatter the stereotypical pop culture imagery of modern Rastas, as it looks at the present state of the world perceived by some of the most outspoken members of the Rastafarian movement. Framed in historical context, Coping with Babylon features a mixture of celebrity Rastafarians, educators, spiritual/social leaders and every day Rasta’s, discussing their “levity” and how it is affected by modern society. The film opens by deconstructing the concept of Babylon through visual images of material excess and interview excerpts from Late jamaican cathedratic, respected sociologist and anthropologist Dr. Barry Chevannes (1940-2010); Prince Emanuel Charles Edwards (1915-1994), Jamaican Rastafarian founder of the Bobo Shanti order in 1958; celebrity Rastafarians including Mutaburka, Luciano, Freddie McGregor, Half Pint, Morgan Heritage, and others. After quickly assessing reggae’s contribution in spreading Rastafarian philosophy, the film briefly discusses the evolution of Rasta ideology, crediting Marcus Garvey, Leonard Howell and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Salassie as the key figures in the development of the belief system. Shot in New York and Jamaica, "coping" lets the subjects tell their own story in pure documentary style void of third party narration. The Rasta faith is revealed to be dynamic and grounding, even as each denomination, or "house" of Ras Tafari, exhibits a unique form of resistance against the power structure that shapes our world, the "Babylonian system," in Rasta terminology.
