Peter Andre Controversially Plays Jamaican Gangster In New Movie Role
The film has been criticised as being “an appalling act of modern blackface.”
Peter Andre in 'Jafaican' (YouTube)
Peter Andre is starring in his first-ever feature film, which will have its world premiere at the Gold Coast Film Festival next month. However, the film—and Andre’s appearance in it—has caused controversy.
The British-Australian singer will portray a Jamaican gangster in the forthcoming film, Jafaican. In teaser clips, he dons fake dreadlocks and uses a Jamaican accent.
The film has been slammed as “an appalling act of modern blackface,” with Jamaican creatives writing an open letter to the film’s director, Fredi Nwaka, describing the film as “xenophobic, tone-deaf and culturally violent.”
A UK-based Caribbean filmmaker, who asked to remain anonymous, outlined concerns with The Voice.
As well as criticising Andre wearing fake dreadlocks, the filmmaker shared criticism for the film being released on the anniversary of the Coral Gardens Massacre, the 1963 state-led attack on Rastafarian communities in Jamaica.
“For Rastafarians, locs are not a costume or aesthetic choice; they are deeply political and spiritual symbols, rooted in resistance, religious conviction, and cultural pride. Reducing them to a comedic prop is an act of cultural violence,” the filmmaker said.
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They added, “To promote a film that turns this culture into a joke during such a week is grotesque. That moment lives in intergenerational memory, and the continued criminalisation, stigmatisation, and persecution of Rastafarians across the Caribbean remains a serious issue.”
The Gold Coast Film Festival defended the film by pointing out that Andre’s 1995 hit single, Mysterious Girl, contained “strong reggae influences.”
“Peter Andre has a long history of music collaboration with Jamaican musicians… and co-stars with prominent Caribbean musician Sizzla in the film,” a representative for the festival said.
“The film is set out to showcase Jamaican culture, not to mock it.”
The mounting controversy comes after Andre deleted his post on X (formerly known as Twitter) promoting the film’s trailer.
In the comedy film, Andre portrays a gangster who attempts to become entrenched in Jamaican culture to scam £35,000 for his grandmother’s care.
The film will premiere at the Gold Coast Film Festival at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) on Friday, 9 May. Andre will also perform at the event.
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