
2024 • 1h 38m • Documentary
Availability
Available Worldwide
Speakers Available
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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.
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
‘"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
‘"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
‘“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
‘“This is everything that a music documentary should be! Loved it!”‘
Chris Jones
‘“Dynamic tour performances… insightful interviews with industry figures like Janelle Monáe, Young Guru, and Pete Rock.”‘
Gilbert Seah
‘"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
‘“Uncovers the untold story of Sister Nancy’s remarkable career.”‘
Ebenezer Agbey Quist
‘"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
Gallery