Rating: 
Summary: Amandla! A Revolution In Four-Part Harmony
Review: 80 - 100 South Africans through FOSA (Friends of South Africa) in the Washington, DC., area were invited to attend an informal social preview screening of AMANDLA1! - with Film Director Lee Hirsch in attendance.South Africa's acting Ambassador, Professsor Thandabantu Nhlapo delivered a brief but eloqent introduction, before Lee Hirsch took the microphone to give us a short perspective of the documentary. AMANDLA! gives one an insight to the interplay and direct connectivity that music had with "The Struggle" - with musical giants - of Freedom Songs, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and Abdullah Ibrahim delivering their prespectives - narratives and specific examples of how the struggle and music were indeed intertwined. Though many (especially activists) were aware of this interplay between the struggle and music, it was nevertheless very moving to have it presented - layed out as Lee Hirsh's narrative desplayed, for he too became drawn into the very depths of this underlying current that swept through our people back home. Music, song and dance were further avenues whereby those silenced - denied free speech, were able to use a medium known and loved by all. These somewhat unknown forms of protest; cries of agony were transmitted through music - to those who were able to understand, feel and empathise. What was quite remarkable, was the absence of "in your face" depictions of the injustoices; Lee instead using the power of gentle persuasion to get bhis heartfelt message accross. The sharing of pain and anguish was evident by those who attended this intimate screening of AMANDLA! After the screening, Lee Hirsch, availed himself to a informal social gathering of South Africans and friends - even participating in someToyi-toyi with Moroosi Mokoena, Thumwakhe Tombela and others. His affable - almost shy ersonality was more geared towards connecting with elements of the struggle, than participating in a media focus. ABOUT THE FILM: AMANDLA! explores the crucial role played by black South African freedom songs in the long struggle against apartheid. Music is woven throughout the documentary, a double award winner at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, as the film illustrates how freedom songs changed and evolved in step with the fight for liberation. World-renowned musicians, including trumpeter Hugh Masekela, singer Miriam Makeba, pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, and guitarist Vusi Mahlasela, offer their candid personal recollections along the way. In the South African language Xhosa, amandla means "power," and the film lives up to its title. ABOUT THE SOUNDTRACK: ATO Records is honored to release the soundtrack to Amandla!, which includes pre-recorded masterpieces from legendary South African musicians such as Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba, new voices from South Africa (including Vusi Mahlasela), as well as amazing never-before-heard field recordings and performances recorded exclusively for the movie. "This documentary is a marvel, an extraordinary achievement. While it is the story of South Africa, the message is universal. Not one person should miss this film. Not one," says Dave Matthews.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful documentary like no other!
Review: Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony, was directed by Lee Hirsch, who sold all his possessions and dropped out of college to make the film. That's the level of commitment and passion exhibited by the creators, but it has nothing on the people starring in this documentary, which focuses on the role music and dance played in the downfall of the Apartheid system in South Africa. I cried at the atrocities committed by the government, and nearly danced for joy myself near the end when Nelson Mandela was shown finally released from prison. The most inspiring aspect of the music in this film is that despite the suffering, there isn't a single "sad" song to be found. The soundtrack is unbelievable, featuring performances and interviews by dynamic and influential artists/activists such as Miriam Makeba, Vusi Mahlasela, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Hugh Masekela.
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Summary: Excellent, Wonderful, Stupendous!
Review: And I could go on and on...Ok, originally I was dragged to see this movie in an independent movie theater. But I was riveted from the opening! This documentary does an excellent job at showing how the music in South Africa changed to reflect the feelings of the people from the beginning to the end of apartheid. It documents how the songs go from dirges to revolutionary paired with the toi-toi (sp?). It was excellently edited and flowed smoothly-guaranteed to keep you riveted a must see! They also did an excellent job at interviewing people from all walks of life (singers, revolutionaries, policemen, etc.) it really gave a multi-faceted view of apartheid.
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Summary: Superb! Recomend it highly
Review: Having seen many films about the horrors of Apartheid, I checked out this video out of curiosity. I can't recommend it highly enough. The song and emotion involved are powerful beyond words. I enjoy the music so much, I'm considering buying the soundtrack. Two of the tracks near the end, A Song for Our Ancestors, solo vocal with piano, and Mandela's dance at the conclusion, were the most deeply moving personally. This documentary is uplifting in its portrayal of the power of the human spirit to overcome oppression.
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Summary: AMANDLA! IS A MUST SEE
Review: I am a black West Indian who had been fortunate enough to see this documentary before I bought the DVD....it is fantastic and moving and emotional and awe inspiring! I looked at it thorugh a veil of tears! Every individual alive regardless of race needs to purchase this DVD and take a good long repeated look at this documentary which chronicles the resilience of the human spirit....I felt inspired to stand on principle and proud to be alive after looking at the documentary. It was REAL...Nothing put on for the cameras...the pride the people felt for their songs and for their leaders and the strength to keep up the fight was palpable throughout...Hugh Masakela, Myriam Makeba and the other performers who faced racism and hatred everyday still loved their country and that was obvious throughout...from the travesty that was Aparthied we now fortunately have a glimpse into one aspect of what it took to keep South African victims of apartheid motivated to fight the power! AMANDLA!
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Summary: Outstanding documentary
Review: I was in South Africa over the summer, and this documentary resonated deeply with my experience. One hardly needs to have been in South Africa to appreciate this story, however. Through numerous people's personal accounts, both narrative and in the form of song and music, it is possible to relive the terror and injustice that prevailed during apartheid years. Thus when Nelson Mandela and all of South Africa finally triumphs over apartheid, it is impossible not to feel the genuine joy and sense of victory that is patent on the faces of all who are portrayed. I rank this as one of the 5 best movie/documentaries I have ever seen (and I have seen ALOT).
Rating:
Summary: remarkable documentary about a remarkable revolution
Review: I was in South Africa over the summer, and this documentary resonated deeply with my experience. One hardly needs to have been in South Africa to appreciate this story, however. Through numerous people's personal accounts, both narrative and in the form of song and music, it is possible to relive the terror and injustice that prevailed during apartheid years. Thus when Nelson Mandela and all of South Africa finally triumphs over apartheid, it is impossible not to feel the genuine joy and sense of victory that is patent on the faces of all who are portrayed. I rank this as one of the 5 best movie/documentaries I have ever seen (and I have seen ALOT).
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding documentary
Review: My college-age son recently told me that he had never been taught anything about apartheid at school. Is this the norm?
On May 10, 2004, it will be the 10th anniversary of the swearing in of Nelson Mandala as President. This is the perfect time and the perfect film to use to educate our young people.
Please, please show this film to your teen-agers. It tells the story of the struggle for freedom through the beautiful voices of the South African people - together with vintage film clips; interviews with freedom-fighters, composers, musicians and singers - many of whom were at one time imprisoned or exiled; combined with beautiful photography and music.
I also would highly recommend the soundtrack, as well as the CD by Vusi Mahlasela, "The Voice".
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Summary: Buy Amandla together with Sarafina
Review: My suggestion is that you enjoyed Sarafina, buy Amandla to learn more about the songs and dances of protest in apartheid era South Africa. While Sarafina was a musical, Amandla more of a documentary, and goes into much more detail of the history and origin of the songs. Commentators will discuss the songs in a round table kind of setting, and then you see examples of the songs. There's also a good section covering the origin of the 'toyi-toyi' dance step, which is prominent in the climax of Sarafina. At the same time, I don't see this as a useful video in learning the history of apartheid or even South Africa, as no mention is made at all of Coloureds and Asians, who also live in South Africa and were subordinated under apartheid, albeit less than Blacks. Rather, Amandla succeeds as a history of the songs of protest.
Rating:
Summary: Must see
Review: This DVD is incredible. The music of the apartheid is the best vehicle for telling what happened in this era. Music is such a part of the daily life of Africans which makes this DVD all the more impactful. It should be seen by every person alive.
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