Shottas
Encyclopedia
Shottas is a 2002
Jamaican crime film
about two young men who participate in organized crime
in Kingston, Jamaica
and Miami, Florida
. It stars Kymani Marley, Spragga Benz
, Paul Campbell
and Louie Rankin
and was written and directed by Cess Silvera. Despite its low budget, the distribution of an unfinished bootleg made it a cult favourite
long before its official limited release in the United States
by Triumph Films and Destination Films in 2006.
The film takes its name from a Jamaica
n term for gang
sters.
), who grow up together in the tough and dangerous streets of Kingston
. They rob a soda truck and shoot the truck driver while they are still children.
The robbery money is used to purchase visas to go the United States
, where they continue their criminal activities, hustling on the streets of Miami. Twenty years later, Biggs is then deported to Jamaica
where Wayne and Mad Max (Paul Campbell
), also deported, have continued their surge in crime, they begin to extort money from business people. After facing problems with the police and politicians, the two head back to Miami alongside Mad Max. Upon returning, they are informed that Miami has a new king, Teddy Bruck Shut (Louie Rankin
). The three pay Teddy a visit to extort him. They extort, beat, and murder their way to the top of Miami before their dream ends in a brazen shoot out, during which Teddy's thugs kill Wayne and shoot Max. Biggs almost gets shot as he comforts Wayne at his deathbed, but Max shoots the assailant before it happens. After taking Max to the hospital, Biggs goes to Teddy's house and murders him, his bodyguard and his girlfriend. Biggs then takes all of Teddy's money and escapes in a boat.
2002 in film
The year 2002 in film involved some significant events. The first significant releases of sequels took place between The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Men in Black II, Analyze That, Spy Kids 2: The Island of...
Jamaican crime film
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
about two young men who participate in organized crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
in Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
and Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
. It stars Kymani Marley, Spragga Benz
Spragga Benz
-Career:He began his career around 1991. Once known to his friends as "Spaghetti" , but this was later shortened to Spragga. The Benz in his name comes from the sound system for which he used to work for, L.A. Benz, and it is through this that he found his way into the music industry at a Dubplate...
, Paul Campbell
Paul Campbell (Jamaican Actor)
Paul Campbell is a Jamaican actor. He is considered Jamaica's most popular actor and is best known for starring in films such as Dancehall Queen, Third World Cop and Shottas . In addition to his roles in most modern Jamaican films, he has also acted on stage in Jamaica and on Broadway in New...
and Louie Rankin
Louie Rankin
Louie Rankin is a Jamaican dancehall reggae artist and actor.Leonard Ford was born in St. Thomas, Jamaica and grew up in Rockfort, Warika Hill and East Kingston. His most successful song was the single "Typewriter," released in 1992...
and was written and directed by Cess Silvera. Despite its low budget, the distribution of an unfinished bootleg made it a cult favourite
Cult film
A cult film, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a highly devoted but specific group of fans. Often, cult movies have failed to achieve fame outside the small fanbases; however, there have been exceptions that have managed to gain fame among mainstream audiences...
long before its official limited release in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by Triumph Films and Destination Films in 2006.
The film takes its name from a Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n term for gang
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
sters.
Plot
The film tells the story of two young men, Biggs(Errol) (Kymani Marley) and Wayne (Spragga BenzSpragga Benz
-Career:He began his career around 1991. Once known to his friends as "Spaghetti" , but this was later shortened to Spragga. The Benz in his name comes from the sound system for which he used to work for, L.A. Benz, and it is through this that he found his way into the music industry at a Dubplate...
), who grow up together in the tough and dangerous streets of Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
. They rob a soda truck and shoot the truck driver while they are still children.
The robbery money is used to purchase visas to go the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where they continue their criminal activities, hustling on the streets of Miami. Twenty years later, Biggs is then deported to Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
where Wayne and Mad Max (Paul Campbell
Paul Campbell (Jamaican Actor)
Paul Campbell is a Jamaican actor. He is considered Jamaica's most popular actor and is best known for starring in films such as Dancehall Queen, Third World Cop and Shottas . In addition to his roles in most modern Jamaican films, he has also acted on stage in Jamaica and on Broadway in New...
), also deported, have continued their surge in crime, they begin to extort money from business people. After facing problems with the police and politicians, the two head back to Miami alongside Mad Max. Upon returning, they are informed that Miami has a new king, Teddy Bruck Shut (Louie Rankin
Louie Rankin
Louie Rankin is a Jamaican dancehall reggae artist and actor.Leonard Ford was born in St. Thomas, Jamaica and grew up in Rockfort, Warika Hill and East Kingston. His most successful song was the single "Typewriter," released in 1992...
). The three pay Teddy a visit to extort him. They extort, beat, and murder their way to the top of Miami before their dream ends in a brazen shoot out, during which Teddy's thugs kill Wayne and shoot Max. Biggs almost gets shot as he comforts Wayne at his deathbed, but Max shoots the assailant before it happens. After taking Max to the hospital, Biggs goes to Teddy's house and murders him, his bodyguard and his girlfriend. Biggs then takes all of Teddy's money and escapes in a boat.
Cast
- Corey Agnant as "Richie's Son"
- Judith Bodley as "Mr. Chin's Secretary"
- Spragga BenzSpragga Benz-Career:He began his career around 1991. Once known to his friends as "Spaghetti" , but this was later shortened to Spragga. The Benz in his name comes from the sound system for which he used to work for, L.A. Benz, and it is through this that he found his way into the music industry at a Dubplate...
as "Wayne" - Paul CampbellPaul Campbell (Jamaican Actor)Paul Campbell is a Jamaican actor. He is considered Jamaica's most popular actor and is best known for starring in films such as Dancehall Queen, Third World Cop and Shottas . In addition to his roles in most modern Jamaican films, he has also acted on stage in Jamaica and on Broadway in New...
as "Mad Max" - Steven Chung as "Mr. Chin"
- Andrew Davis as "John John"
- Fabien Dominique as "Abbey"
- Michael Gordon as "Soda Truck Driver"
- Carlton Grant Jr. as "Young Wayne"
- Leighton Hilton as "Airport Cop #2"
- Wyclef JeanWyclef JeanWyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
as "Richie" - Papa Keith as "Carjack Victim"
- Desmond Kingas "Big Man"
- Isiah Laing as "Detective Laing"
- Marilyn Manhoe as "Marcia"
- Kymani Marley as "Biggs"
- Jabba Mitchell as "Dangles"
- Claudette Pious as "Auntie Pauline"
- Louie RankinLouie RankinLouie Rankin is a Jamaican dancehall reggae artist and actor.Leonard Ford was born in St. Thomas, Jamaica and grew up in Rockfort, Warika Hill and East Kingston. His most successful song was the single "Typewriter," released in 1992...
as "Teddy Bruck Shut" - Prince Reed as "Jitney Driver"
- Dwight Richardson as "Immigration Inspector"
- Patrick Scott as "Sando"
- J.R. Silvera as "Young Biggs"
- Jennifer Small as "Mr. Anderson's Secretary"
- Jahshi Spence as "Rasta Neville"
- Prince Thompson as "Ol' School"
- Rohan Wade as "Airport Cop #1"
- Munair Zacca as "Mr. Anderson"
- Nelson Zapata as "Papi"
Soundtrack
- Damian MarleyDamian MarleyDamian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
- Welcome to Jamrock - Barry Brown - Far East
- Nitty GrittyNitty GrittyGlen Augustus Holness , otherwise known by his stage name Nitty Gritty, was a popular Reggae singer. Born in the August Town section of Kingston, Jamaica, he was the second of eleven children born to religious parents....
- Trial and Crosses - Little John - In the ghetto
- Bob MarleyBob MarleyRobert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
- Coming in from the cold - Bounty KillerBounty KillerBounty Killer is a Grammy nominated Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay. He is the founder of a dancehall collective known as The Alliance.-Early life and career:...
- Dead this time - Hawkeye - Bad Long Time
- Spragga BenzSpragga Benz-Career:He began his career around 1991. Once known to his friends as "Spaghetti" , but this was later shortened to Spragga. The Benz in his name comes from the sound system for which he used to work for, L.A. Benz, and it is through this that he found his way into the music industry at a Dubplate...
& Lady SawLady SawLady Saw is a Jamaican reggae singer, known as the queen of dancehall.-Biography:...
- Backshot - Damian MarleyDamian MarleyDamian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
- Catch a Fire - Shaggy and the Big Yard Allstars - Gangster
- Tonto Irie - It a ring
- Ky-mani MarleyKy-Mani MarleyKy-mani is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist whose east African name means Adventurous Traveler. The only child of table tennis champion Anita Belnavis and reggae icon Bob Marley, Ky-mani Marley was born in Falmouth, Jamaica...
- Fire - Junior Cat - Would A Let You Go
- PinchersPinchersPinchers born Delroy Thompson, 12 April 1965, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist.He released one album as a teenager in Jamaica for Blue Trac Records, before moving to the UK in 1985....
- Bandelero - John Wayne - Call the police
- Nicky Seizure - Quench the fire
- Ky-mani MarleyKy-Mani MarleyKy-mani is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist whose east African name means Adventurous Traveler. The only child of table tennis champion Anita Belnavis and reggae icon Bob Marley, Ky-mani Marley was born in Falmouth, Jamaica...
- I Believe - Ky-Enie - Rain
- Inner Circle - Discipline child (Live)
- Nicky Seizure - Revelation time
- Ky-mani MarleyKy-Mani MarleyKy-mani is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist whose east African name means Adventurous Traveler. The only child of table tennis champion Anita Belnavis and reggae icon Bob Marley, Ky-mani Marley was born in Falmouth, Jamaica...
- The March - Kenneth Milligan - Shottas
- Pan Head - Gun Man Tune
- Bob Marley - Three Little Birds