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The Seven Killings of Marlon James

Alan Yentob accompanies novelist Marlon James back to James's home country of Jamaica and finds in his novels a complex portrait of the turbulent history of his native country.

2015 was a momentous year for novelist Marlon James. He became the first Jamaican writer to win the Man Booker prize for his magisterial novel A Brief History of Seven Killings, about the events surrounding the attempted assassination of Bob Marley and their aftermath. He also chose to come out as gay in an article for the New York Times - a brave move for a man born in what has been called the world's most homophobic country. Alan Yentob accompanies the charismatic and provocative James back to Jamaica and finds in his three highly praised novels a complex portrait of the turbulent history of his native country.

58 minutes

Last on

Tue 21 Nov 2023 01:00

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:04

    The Bug

    Ascension

  • 00:06

    Prince

    Sign 'O' The Times

  • 00:08

    Apparat

    Goodbye

  • 00:11

    Bob Marley & The Wailers

    Concrete Jungle

  • 00:12

    The Haxan Cloak

    Excavation (Part 2)

  • 00:21

    The Haxan Cloak

    Consumed

  • 00:24

    Timber Timbre

    Magic Arrow

  • 00:26

    JAY-Z

    Dirt Off Ya Shoulder

  • 00:34

    Calexico

    Over Your Shoulder

  • 00:37

    The Wailers

    Burnin' And Lootin'

  • 00:38

    Massive Attack

    Paradise Circus

  • 00:41

    Bob Marley & The Wailers

    Stir It Up

  • 00:43

    Apparat

    Goodbye

  • 00:49

    The Haxan Cloak

    The Mirror Reflecting (Part 1)

  • 00:39

    Bob Marley & The Wailers

    Get Up, Stand Up

  • 00:35

    Augustus Pablo

    King Tubby meets the rockers uptown

  • 00:50

    Bob Marley & The Wailers

    Redemption Song

  • 00:51

    The Haxan Cloak

    Miste

  • 00:53

    The Velvet Underground

    I Found A Reason

  • 00:56

    Dillinger

    Cocaine In My Brain

  • 00:59

    The Velvet Underground

    I'm Set Free

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Alan Yentob
Series Editor Alan Yentob
Producer Colette Camden
Director Colette Camden
Executive Producer Anne Elletson
Executive Producer Tanya Hudson

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