Ziggy Marley Reveals What His Father Would Have Thought of New Film Bob Marley: One Love (Exclusive)

Ziggy Marley thinks his father, reggae icon Bob Marley, would be thrilled Bob Marley: One Lovea new biopic that brings his legendary life to the big screen.

“He would laugh,” Ziggy tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue of the film, which comes out February 14. “He would laugh, but one of those proud laughs. He always wanted to make a film. He was a creative person. He wanted to make a western. There are many sides [to him] which people don’t really know. They will see those sides [in One Love] and they will connect with those parties.”

Ziggy, 55, was 12 when Bob died of cancer in 1981 aged 36. Now, more than four decades later, he enjoys bringing his father’s story to life, with the help of actor Kingsley Ben-Adir, who plays the late star (Lashana Lynch plays his mother, Rita).

Ziggy, his mother Rita and sister Cedella are the producers of the film (directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green), while his wife Orly is the executive producer.

The Grammy-winning musician says the British actor’s performance brings out “a strong emotional side of Bob that people don’t normally see,” and that he feels the emotional connection is the essence of the film.

Kingsley Ben-Adir and Bob Marley. Getty (2) Bob Marley’s Son Ziggy Reveals The Last Thing The Singer Said To Him And Why He Vows To Live By It (Exclusive)

“Kingsley was very good,” says Ziggy. “There are moments where we’re like, ‘Yeah, that’s just like Dad’… I want people to take away the emotion, but the bigger idea is for people [to] come together and live together in peace and love. The message in the film is unity. That’s what the film represents.”

Ziggy says he and his family, which includes his mother Rita, sisters Sharon and Cedella and brothers Stephen, Rohan, Julian, Ky-Mani, Damian and Robert, were the ones who approached the studio about making the film and were “very involved” in all aspects of its creation.

“It comes from us. And for it to be really true and authentic, then we have to be a part of it to make sure it’s done the right way,” he says. “I think the message of the film and the title of the film is a very powerful idea to put out into the world right now. So I think he came at the right time.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a surprise trip to the red carpet in Jamaica for the Bob Marley film premiere

Ziggy Marley 2023.

Paramount Pictures

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Now a father of seven himself, including four with wife Orly, Ziggy says his family’s spiritual foundation is what keeps them close to Bob.

“Everything we do is part of the whole. As if we are a part of him and he is a part of us. That’s one,” he says. “We speak with our love, and these are not words. We don’t have to talk much – we can just feel. My smile honors him. I laugh and it looks like his laugh. Parts of him are part of me.”

For more on Ziggy Marley, pick up the latest issue of the magazine PEOPLE or subscribe here.

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Source: HIS Education