Bam Bam: TheSister Nancy Story

2024 • 1h 38m • Documentary

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In-person

  • Available Worldwide

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About the film

The iconic track “Bam Bam” has left a mark on music since taking the industry by storm in 1982, but what do we know of the incredible artist who laid her passionate vocals down to give it life? Sister Nancy is one of the most legendary Dancehall artists to grace a mic, and yet the understanding of her impact and legacy suffers beyond diehards of the genre. It’s time to rectify that. The song that has become a sample darling and star-making vehicle for many artists now brings into focus the trials, tribulations and rousing success of its original songstress.

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Director

Alison Duke

Producer

Ngardy Conteh George, Alison Duke

Crew

Lucas Joseph, Eugene Weis, Orin Isaacs, Amy Fritz, Ramón Charles, Michelle Irving

Awards & recognition

Charlotte Black Film Festival

IOCTV Winner - Best Documentary

Santa Maria Music & Film Festival

Winner - Best Feature Documentary

Tribeca Festival

Official Selection - World Premiere

Film POP

Official Selection

San Diego Black Film Festival

Official Selection

Honolulu African American Film Festival

Official Selection

The Pan African Film Festival

Official Selection

Seeyousound International Music Film Festival

Official Selection

San Francisco Black Film Festival

Official Selection

DC Caribbean FilmFest

Official Selection

Newark Black Film Festival

Official Selection

Festival Latinidades

Official Selection

Women's International Film Festival

Official Selection

BronzeLens Film Festival

Official Selection

Trinidad + Tobago Film Festival

Official Selection

CinemAfrica

Official Selection

Women of the Lens Film Festival

Winner - Best Documentary Film

National Black Film Festival

Official Selection

World International Music & Independent Film Fest

Winner - Best Music Documentary

Santa Maria Music and Film Festival

Winner - Best Documentary

What people are saying

"For reggae/hip-hop fans, this is a must-see proposition; for the uninitiated, it’s a great introduction to a formidable female artist. Kudos to director Duke for a film that will appeal to both."

Liz Braun

Rotten Tomatoes

"It’s a documentary as inspirational as it is melancholy, a tale of tribute and influence and one of the tragic pitfalls of the music industry."

Soham Gadre

Rotten Tomatoes

"Not just for reggae/hip hop fans (despite un-subtitled heavy patois), portrait tribute with archival, re-enactments, star testimony, performances, like other legendary women in blues/world/popular music, well introduces Jamaican icon to old and new fans."

Nora Lee Mandel

Rotten Tomatoes

“Electrifying live performances with candid interviews…”

Melissa Doughty

TT Film Festival selects Bam, Bam: The Sister Nancy Story for gala screening

“Entertaining and empowering...”

Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival

Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival

“This is everything that a music documentary should be! Loved it!”

Chris Jones

The Making of a Music Icon

“Dynamic tour performances… insightful interviews with industry figures like Janelle Monáe, Young Guru, and Pete Rock.”

Gilbert Seah

Afro Toronto

"Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story tells the story of an artist who remains larger than life, and her music is a natural offshoot of the size of her spirit."

DarkSkyLady

Rotten Tomatoes

“Uncovers the untold story of Sister Nancy’s remarkable career.”

Ebenezer Agbey Quist

All News Black Women

"Sister Nancy might not be a household name, but the beat, rhythm and words of “Bam Bam” echo across every genre. Tracing one of the most sampled songs in music history back to the source provides the groundwork to understand a musical pioneer."

Alan French

Rotten Tomatoes

Gallery

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