Sharpen Obaid-Chinoy (Star Wars filmmaker) and Trish Dalton are teaming up to direct the new documentary Reggae Girlz. The documentary is about the Jamaican women’s national football team and their journey to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Production is starting in Jamaica and has Red Bull Studios, Polygram Entertainment, Astronaut Films, and Cedella Marley/ Tuff Gong Collective backing the film. The documentary will be produced by Laura Smith, Jon Alwen, the executive producer of Astronaut Films, Philipp Manderla, and Dominique Cutts from Red Bull Studios, David Blackman for Polygram Entertainment, and Marley from Tuff Gong Collective will also be joining the film. The film’s musical director will be eight-time Grammy winner Stephen Marley.
The Reggae Girlz originally did not qualify for the 2007 World Cup or the Olympic Games, so the team went their separate ways in 2008. However, in 2014, Cedella, Bob and Rita Marley’s oldest daughter, brought the team back and helped it become the first Caribbean team.
The documentary shows the journey against sexism and violence and growing up with limited resources. The Reggae Girlz are said to be making history for the country and women. The women part of the World Cup team is Konya Plummer, Cheyna Matthews, Deneisha Blackwood, Trudi Carter, Khadija Bunny Shaw, and sisters Allyson and Chantelle Swaby.
Obaid-Chinoy and Dalton told Deadline, “We knew this was a story that needed to be told. Every one of these players has defeated the odds and not only serve as an inspiration to others but also continue to help unite the Jamaican community.”