Cayman film producer, Frank Flowers (who has been responsible for directing the film Haven, based in the Cayman Islands) was recently asked to direct a video for reggae musician Ziggy Marley's new single, Love is my Religion.

Ziggy Marley is the son of reggae legend Bob Marley, but has made his own impact on that genre of music.

Ziggy first sat in on recording sessions with his father when he was ten years old; he formed the Melody Makers with his brother Stephen and sister, Sharon.

After two decades in the Melody Makers, he released his first solo album, Dragonfly, in 2003.

Love is my Religion is the title of his new album, released earlier this year, on the Tuff Gong Worldwide record label, from which comes the single, also called Love is My Religion.

Explaining how he came to be asked to direct the video, Mr Flowers said that the two artists were both represented at the William Morris Agency in Los Angeles.

"They thought it would be a good paring to put us together. I met with (Ziggy Marley) him at his home studio, and we started by listening to the track, and then the album for a while, and just 'vibing' on what he wanted to say with the piece," said Mr Flowers.

"We came up with a concept of a man, searching in the early part of his life, looking for inspiration, being wooed by different influences and then finding his own path in love and freedom."

"There is an acoustic version of the song as well as the single version for 'Love is My Religion' and I asked if maybe we could combine the two. Half of the video would be the single version of the track and the last minute or so we could switch to the more intimate acoustic treatment."

Mr Flowers said Ziggy liked this idea and said he wanted to do something that was open and free, that celebrated 'love' outside the confines of the traditional model, and was more all-encompassing, less-dogmatic.

"Ziggy is a very gracious person, and truly has a vision with not only his song-writing but for this album and what he wants to say with it," added Mr Flowers.

The video begins with Ziggy Marley walking up a mountainside road, singing the chorus to the song, "Love is my Religion."

The catchy, upbeat tempo of the song belies the song's serious message. That message is that love transcends all religious and ethnic boundaries.

That sentiment is interpreted by Mr Flower's original and striking use of visual symbols and metaphors from the beginning of the video to the last frame. His strong images perfectly interpret both the feeling, and the message of the song, so that, even if one were to look at the video alone, exactly the same message would become apparent.

This is a rare achievement in any music video, and again shows Mr Flowers' ability to break new ground, and to think 'outside the box.'

The video represents a literal journey, as Ziggy Marley walks up the steep hill, but also represents a kind of spiritual journey. It hints at the path Mr Marley has taken in his own life.

The journey is a personal one; and yet the message it contains could be shared with everyone. That message is that love, rather than the dogma of dead, formal religion, is the path of true spirituality.

As he walks along the road, he sees the formalism of dogmatic religion represented by a kind of ascetic, bearded monk, with a sign written on cardboard, saying 'Repent.'

As Mr Marley passes, He flips over his sign to reveal the words 'Join Us.'

Ziggy Marley shakes his head at this request, but keeps smiling at the man; he has found a better way; his own way.

In doing so, the video illustrates a simple, but important principle, that it is possible to disagree with someone while continuing to express love to them.

Next in the video, the 'mystical' side of spirituality is represented, as a woman is trying to impress Ziggy Marley with her tarot cards; the mystical power of her secret knowledge.

Again, Mr Marley walks on by while smiling, as if to say, 'no, that is not for me.'

As he nears the hill's summit, he meets some young people, free sprits, driving an old VW camper van. They appear to have discovered, like him, the secret that brother and sisterly love is the only religion they need.

The choice of the old camper van is again perfect for the message of the song, in an age where formal churches struggle to build ever-more ostentatious buildings.

It is people, and the loving relationships that develop between them that counts, and where they meet is immaterial.

All the people in the van appear to come from different countries, and yet all enjoy one another's company, neatly expressing the idea of truly universal brotherhood and sisterhood, a universal love that transcends cultural boundaries.

As the van reaches the beach, they all leave the camper van and go running on the beach.

Towards the end of the video the feeling gets more intimate as the song changes to acoustic version and the video focuses on love between a man and a woman.

As Ziggy Marley sits, softly playing his guitar, the beautiful woman he has met in the VW camper van dances in front of him. Again, this an outward expression of her free spirit, a free spirit soaring, as the song's lyrics say.

It is also a strong visual metaphor, a kind of crystallization, of the other kinds of love expressed in the earlier parts of the video.

The video ends as the couple embrace, their faces reflecting the light of the fire. The warm light from the flame shows the pure light of love that each of them has re-discovered.

During a telephone interview with Ziggy Marley, he spoke about his new CD, Love is My Religion, and the message of love that he is spreading, and also about the video that he put together with Frank Flowers.

He said he was pleased with the video, and said he had enjoyed collaborating with Mr Flowers in making it, praising Mr Flowers as an original and creative artist.

Mr Marley then went on to articulate the philosophy behind his new album.

"The concept of God has been hijacked," he said. Love is my religion...we have got to get back to the truth; I need people to understand the truth.

I believe that this message (the message of love) was given to me, and I need to tell everyone. That is why I am here. The concept of God has been misrepresented, so now I am representing the truth."

christopher@caymannetnews