History converges in Jamaica and Acia Maj in Daydreamers
Real events rock a small island
Using an imaginery island as the backdrop of the Daydreamers franchise was a difficult decision. How can the story of an island be told using real events but be located on an imaginary island?
Daydreamers transports readers back to the 1970's, to a time when a fun-loving, tranquil island is suddenly disrupted by violent acts of the scale it had never seen before.
Unfortunately, these events all share three characteristics - no one was held responsible; no one knows why they occurred; no one understands what was the ultimate objective.
Daydreamers uses these events to tell the story of a pivotal moment in the history of an island and its people.
Below are news reports and stories of some of the real events depicted in Daydreamers. Remember that Daydreamers is set in Acia Maj, so names have been changed and no dates are used.
01
Orange Street fire
The National Library of Jamaica records of the national disaster of The Orange Street Fire
02
Orange Street Enquiry report
The government of the day convened an enquiry into the Orange Street fire, and released an interim report.
03
Volatile article describes impact of the 1976 State of Emergency
A newspaper article from the then Opposition Leader about the national State of Emergency
04
1938 Frome labour riots
A newspaper article, in May 2006, marking the 68th anniversary of the event that is said to have given birth to the modern Jamaica - the Frome labour riots.
... The roots of the 1938 uprising can be traced to the hardship experienced by the ex-slaves after Emancipation which went unrelieved for an entire century ...
05
Bob Marley assassination attempt
Far Out magazine describes the attempt on Bob Marley's life
Documentaries
The historical backdrop of Daydreamers
The common response to the statement that Daydreamers is based on historical events in Jamaica is - "I had no idea that such a beautiful island had this experience."
For those who want to delve a little deeper, below are some interesting videos.
For those who don't care, which is ok by the way, Daydreamers is still a wonderful read and experience, even without knowing what really happened.
Jamaica's political history
Documentary by World Magazine Jamaica - "Blood and Fire - Jamaica Political History"
4-part interview with Michael Manley
Believed to the last full-length interview with the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Rt. Hon. Michael Norman Manley, conducted by Donette Chin-Loy.
The interview provides wonderful insight into Jamaica's history in the latter 20th century and the forces that affected it, looking at social justice and attitudes, the delicate balance between the power of government and 'the market', and their role in developing a nation.
Micheal Manley was Prime Minister of Jamaica in 1972-1980 and 1989-1992.
These interviews were conducted in circa 1996.
Interview with the Rt. Hon. Michael Manley ON OCC [Pt.1/4]
Personally Speaking with Donette Chin-Loy. Produced by Frame by Frame Productions and Donette Chin-Loy.
Interview with the Rt. Hon. Michael Manley ON OCC [Pt.2/4]
Personally Speaking with Donette Chin-Loy. Produced by Frame by Frame Productions and Donette Chin-Loy.
Interview with the Rt. Hon. Michael Manley ON OCC [Pt.3/4]
Personally Speaking with Donette Chin-Loy. Produced by Frame by Frame Productions and Donette Chin-Loy..
Interview with the Rt. Hon. Michael Manley ON OCC [Pt.4/4]
Personally Speaking with Donette Chin-Loy. Produced by Frame by Frame Productions and Donette Chin-Loy..
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