Customer Reviews

Amandla: Revolution in Four Part Harmony [VHS]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

This is an excellent history of the role of music in the anti-aparthied struggle of S/A. Familiar greats like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masakela are covered as well as interesting lost history such as the tale of Vuyisile Mini (who was hanged in 1964 for fight-the power songs such as "Beware Voeword.").

For the most part, these are not "We Shall Overcome" or "Kum by Ya" type of anthems (though that's cool in it's place). This is hardcore, fight-the power, we ain't gonna take it type of music. Sibongile Kumalo's song about the struggle near the end of the film will bring tears to your eyes-first for the beauty of her voice and THEN when you read the translation! The sequences of the Toyi-toyi (the war dance of S/A) are inspirational and revealing, as is this DVD itself.

Moving scenes abound. A picture is shown of a beautiful S/A teenager sitting prettily on a sofa, then the camera pulls back to reveal that she has a machine gun next to her. One young lady, crying at the funeral of a comrade in the midst of the struggle cries, "I wish I were a dog! I wish I were cattle grazing in the grass!" If you can watch scenes like that with a dry eye then something is WRONG with you!

We also have some extra-rare footage of the young Nelson Mandela (in 1961, prior to his imprisonment) telling of his views on the choice of violence or nonviolence. There is also footage of his sentancing in 1964 and his eventual release. The scenes of his dancing in celebration are a sight to behold!

But enough of this. Get it and see and hear the power that music has over the human spirit! I'd give it ten stars!

We've all heard cliches about the power of music but this is an amazingly moving film about the real power of music. The movie, shot on a handycam by Lee Hirsch travels through five decades of music and activism in South Africa's history. By looking at the key songs and the men associated with each phase of the struggle, Hirsch does a great job of bringing to life the sheer horror and brutality of everyday life under apartheid. But he also manages to capture the hopes of the revolutionaries through a series of moving and poignant interviews. What struck me about many of the interviews was how spontaneously these activists would break into song to recount their experience. By providing minimal commentary and by letting the songs and men who sang them do the talking, Hirsch has created a masterpiece.

Apart from chronicling the history of the movement, Hirsch also chronicles the lives of many of the activists that the world has forgotten today. The movie opens with the exhumation of Mini's grave to the soulful voice of Vusi Mahlasela. One by one, Hirsch also exhumes heroes and heroines of South Africa's past, particularly musicians, who live only through their songs, and tries to give them their place in the anti-apartheid struggle.

It is also fascinating that the colour of his skin allows Hirsch to shoot some fascinating footage including those of modern white South Africans nostalgic for an earlier age. Hirsch also allows a deft touch of humour to pervade his work, subtly, without ever being disrespectful to his subjects. One of my favourite scenes is where Rathebe recounts how they would sing revolutionary songs and the whites would look at them and praise them for their melody not realising what the actual lyrics were. It's hard to describe that scene in words, but its wonderfully shot and the two matriarchs burst into spontaneous laughter at the memory, and yet the viewer is never allowed to forget the pain of the condescension and humiliation they suffered. Their laughter, like their song, is a slap, even today to those who persecuted them.

I would also recommend buying the Amandla! CD along with this. It contains the full version of many of the songs featured in the documentary including the seminal 'Beware Verwoerd' which runs like an anthem through the anti-apartheid struggle and a fantastic version of Mahlasela's 'When You Come Back' sung, in the movie, in tribute to Vusiliye Mini.

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!

Amandla - A Revolution in Four Part Harmony - tells the story of four periods in the history of South Africa, from 1948 until today. From the beginning of legalized apartheid, through the oppression of the sixties, to the uprising of the late seveties and Mandela's release in the early 90's. Each period is presented through its Ngoma - the music that was an integral part of the political struggle. It is clear from watching the film the music was one of the weapons used to "engage the apartheid regime".
There are many emotional moments - moments of despair, moments of joy. People such as Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masakela and Abdullah Ibrahim speak candidly about their exile, and their love for their country. The songs, such as "What have we done ?" and the "Toy Toy" song and dance are also the heroes of this film, as well as a collection of freedom fighters who all speak with great eloquence and sincerity. (It should be noted that Jesse Jackson who is listed as one of the "stars" - is actually shown for no more than 5 seconds).
The film is an inspiration to any lover of freedom, in a period where despair may seem a reasonable conclusion. If you love freedom and you love music - get this DVD.

This movie is eye opening accurate experience into South Africa during Apartied. Th music is simply wonderful and will move you.

Buying it for a class but recommend for anyone interested in history, anthropology, music, sociology, etc.

I'd give it 6 stars but it won't let me

What a work! This is by all means one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. I think this documentary should be shown to high school and college students. Even in this age of arms and ammunitions and warfare, this documentary is evidence of South Africa's persistent non-violent struggle, a struggle that branches from the roots of its own culture, a struggle that unites the country for one common purpose - to enjoy the basic rights of one's own country.
Music can create miracles; music can create wonders. African music has proved this as South African singers and musicians from all over the world join hands to establish their own government for the first time in their own country.
I watched Nelson Mandela dance for the first time, and it was not just a dance; it was a celebration of victory coming from almost a century long game full of upheavels, trials and tribulations, sacrifices and martyrdoms, and separation and suffering, still filled with love, unity and MUSIC.

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.

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".

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).