The Price of Love: Cheddi Jagan (2024) chronicles the life of Cheddi Jagan, the first Marxist democratically elected leader in the Western Hemisphere, who rose to prominence in 1953. Born in rural Guyana, Jagan pursued higher education at Howard and Northwestern Universities in the United States, where he met his wife, Janet. Together, they returned to Guyana with a shared mission to uplift their people.
In 1953, Jagan's Progressive People's Party won the first elections held under universal adult suffrage. However, their government was abruptly suspended by a British coup after only 133 days. The documentary delves into the turbulent political landscape that saw bitter divisions, Cold War politics, racial violence, and CIA plots all working to undermine Jagan's quest for his people's freedom.
The Price of Love: Cheddi Jagan features poignant interviews with his children, Joey and Nadira, his sister Barbara, political rival Hamilton Green, and many comrades who knew him well. Archival footage of Cheddi, Janet Jagan, and Forbes Burnham enriches the narrative, providing a comprehensive look at Jagan's relentless dedication and the formidable challenges he faced.
As the third film in a trilogy that includes The Word is Love: Jamaica's Michael Manley (2012) and Four Years of Love: The Grenada Revolution (2021), this documentary captures the essence of a leader who put his people first, paying the ultimate price for his unwavering love. Before Allende, before Fidel, before Grenada, there was Cheddi Jagan—a visionary whose story is crucial to understanding the broader struggles for democracy and social justice in the Western Hemisphere.
Price of Love is a very good documentary about the Western Hemisphere’s first democratically elected Marxist. It manages to keep the pace fresh and interesting by combining new and old interviews with Jagan’s family and closest allies, occasionally interspersing all forms of archival footage, songs, and radio recordings. Library patrons or students interested in the rise of socialism and communism in South America will want to see The Price of Love: Cheddi Jagan. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public or academic library shelves?
The Price of Love: Cheddi Jagan (2024) belongs on the shelves of both public and academic libraries, particularly in sections focused on political history, Latin American and Caribbean studies, and biographies of influential political leaders. In academic libraries, it would be especially valuable in collections related to the study of socialism, communism, Cold War politics, and post-colonial studies. Public libraries should place it in areas dedicated to world history, political documentaries, and social justice, making it accessible to patrons interested in the rise of socialism in South America and the broader struggles for democracy in the Western Hemisphere.
Where can I purchase The Price of Love?
You can purchase the DVD/Blu-ray of The Price of Love for $5 on The Spirit of '38 Productions website.