Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony

2002
7.4| 1h43m| en
Details

The struggle to eradicate apartheid in South Africa has been chronicled over time, but no one has addressed the vital role music plays in this challenge. This documentary by Lee Hirsch recounts a fascinating and little-known part of South Africa's political history through archival footage, interviews and, of course, several mesmerizing musical performances.

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ATO Pictures

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Reviews

SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped
Jacomedi A Surprisingly Unforgettable Movie!
Kirandeep Yoder The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.
Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
colinnz The definitive documentary for illustrating the struggle of the black South Africans,as told through the eyes of the White prison guards and executioners, black activists & Musicians. Some of the straight forward comments from the black activists, remain embellished in my mind."The train was Africa's first tragedy" (highlighting the need for the large corporates to mobilise the cheap black labour)& "We were treated like s*** and we still never smashed the place up"(showing how much they loved their country) The way in which the townships and their matchbox houses were quickly erected, and then demolished so that the black labour could be moved on to the next corporate project,effectively explains how black labour is no more than a dispensable and renewable chattel, a sort of nomadic feudalism destroying any sense of community. And finally the music which puts to shame the commercialised manufactured dross we hear on today's radio, masquerading as Jazz & Blues.The superb piece of music towards the end in the dark dingy club,where the female black singer with the haunting pitch delivers the names of those who died in the struggle,would moisten the eyes of the most hardened cynic.Could the world be in for an explosive treat of Black South African roots, jazz, rhythm and blues music? I hope so.
juan_dollapotz An excellent blend of archival footage/music and interviews to impart a powerful message and involving film. Lee Hirsch and his team have done an amazing job in cataloging the music and passion of the freedom movement in South Africa during apartheid. Whether one is a fan of music, a documentary enthusiast, has an interest in the anti-apartheid movement or in post colonial Africa, AMANDLA! is a must see piece of film making.
dlfarthing The music of "Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony" is as powerful a force for the South African revolution, as Lucas would have us believe it is for the Jedi.For our time, it also provides a near view of slavery. Thus, this motion picture is a must see not only for people of color, it is such for all the people to see. DLF
HoustonKing Amandla! is one of the first documentaries about the fight against apartheid in South Africa. More importantly, it tells the story in a way that is inspirational, funny, factual and humanizes the struggle.The film was the most decorated film at Sundance 2002, where it won the Audience Award for Documentaries and the Freedom of Expression Award.I have seen it many times. Each time I try to hide the tears that well up in my eyes and control the pride I feel for knowing the people of South Africa. It is difficult to capture the warmth and dignity of the African people in the face of poverty and oppression but Amandla! succeeds.Don't let your preconceptions of Africa last a day longer - go see this film and see the world is a little larger than you thought.