Delroy Lindo Directs ‘Jabari’s People’ With Winston Duke
Delroy Lindo’s directorial debut, ‘Jabari’s People’, features a star‑studded cast including Winston Duke, Marianne Jean‑Baptiste, and Wendell Pierce. Filmed over 22 days in Kingston, the film follows a Brooklyn teen’s journey through grief and identity after relocating to his Jamaican grandparents’…
By Felo News Desk · Published
Delroy Lindo, best known for his Oscar‑nominated performance in the indie drama Sinners, has stepped behind the camera for the first time with his feature film Jabari’s People. The family drama, shot over a tight 22‑day schedule in Kingston, Jamaica, brings together a talented ensemble that includes Winston Duke, Marianne Jean‑Baptiste, Wendell Pierce, and rising actor Seyi Andes‑Pelumi.
From Script to Set: Lindo’s Vision
The story first captured Lindo’s imagination in 2015 when he was approached to star in an independent project that never materialised. When the rights to the script resurfaced in 2021, Lindo immediately saw the opportunity to direct. “I knew I was going to direct this,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “It touched me in my soul as a person of Jamaican extraction.” The film aims to showcase a side of Jamaica that audiences rarely see—its spiritual depth, its rugged beauty, and the resilience of its people.
Plot and Characters
Set between Brooklyn and the Blue Mountains, the narrative follows Jabari, a gifted yet defiant teenager who is sent to live with his estranged grandparents after his mother’s sudden death. The film charts Jabari’s reluctant transition from exile to an unexpected journey through grief, family, identity, and inheritance. The land and community compel Jabari—and three generations of his family—to confront long‑unspoken wounds.
Jabari is portrayed by Seyi Andes‑Pelumi, who brings a determined edge to the role. Winston Duke plays the overwhelmed father, while Marianne Jean‑Baptiste embodies the emotionally intuitive grandmother. Lindo himself takes on the disciplined grandfather, and Wendell Pierce appears as a doctor in the family’s New York community. Supporting roles are filled by a robust Jamaican ensemble, including Rolando Alberts, Sekai Smart‑Macaulay, Kimberly Patterson, Jeff Crossley, Kadeem Wilson, Sule Thelwell, Everaldo Creary, and Djamari Roberts.
Production Insights
Filming wrapped in Kingston after a compressed 22‑day shoot. Lindo described the experience as “pinching myself” when actors delivered lines exactly as written, bringing the script to life. He also noted the challenge of balancing acting and directing, especially when he had to stay on set for technical discussions with the director of photography and crew.
“When I’m working as an actor, I tend to work very, very privately, inside of myself, with the material,” Lindo said. “I have to open myself up and be more available.” The production was overseen by Lindo’s own banner, Mudtop Productions, alongside Robert A. Maylor, Lena Cordina, and Natalie Thompson. Executive producers included Susan Rockefeller, Regina K. Scully, and Melony Lewis, with IAG handling distribution rights.
Cast Highlights
Winston Duke, known for his breakout role as M’Baku in Marvel’s Black Panther, reprises the character for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Marianne Jean‑Baptiste earned Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA nominations for her performance in Mike Leigh’s Secrets & Lies and recently won Best Leading Performance at the British Independent Film Awards for Hard Truths. Wendell Pierce, a Tony‑nominated actor celebrated for his work on The Wire, brings gravitas to the film’s medical character. Seyi Andes‑Pelumi, a rising star from Prime Video’s Jungle and BBC iPlayer’s Cron‑Gton, delivers a compelling portrayal of the conflicted teen.
Representatives for the cast include UTA and Hansen Jacobson for Duke, IAG for Lindo, Untitled Entertainment for Jean‑Baptiste, Paradigm for Pierce, and Bonnie & Betty and Brave Artists Management for Andes‑Pelumi.
What’s Next?
While the film has completed principal photography, the next steps involve post‑production and securing a distribution deal. With IAG already handling distribution rights, the project is poised for a theatrical release followed by streaming availability. Fans of Lindo’s work and the ensemble cast can expect a heartfelt exploration of family ties and cultural identity.
Key facts
- Delroy Lindo directs his first feature film, ‘Jabari’s People’
- Star‑studded cast includes Winston Duke, Marianne Jean‑Baptiste, and Wendell Pierce
- Filmed in Kingston over a 22‑day schedule
- Story centers on a Brooklyn teen’s journey through grief in Jamaica
- Lindo’s vision aims to showcase Jamaica’s spiritual depth
- Film is set for post‑production and upcoming distribution
- Cast members represent diverse backgrounds and notable achievements
Why it matters
‘Jabari’s People’ marks Delroy Lindo’s transition from celebrated actor to director, offering a fresh cinematic perspective on Jamaican heritage and intergenerational family dynamics.
Frequently asked questions
When will ‘Jabari’s People’ be released?
The film is currently in post‑production; a release date will be announced once distribution is finalized.
Who is directing the film?
Delroy Lindo, known for his acting work in films like ‘Sinners’, is the director.
Where was the film shot?
Principal photography took place in Kingston, Jamaica.
Sources
- [1] hollywoodreporter.com — originally reported as “Winston Duke, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Wendell Pierce Starring in Delroy Lindo’s Directorial Debut ‘Jabari’s People’ (Exclusive)”
