AMANDLA! A REVOLUTION IN
FOUR PART HARMONY

Year: 2002
USA: Artisan Releasing
UK: Metrodome Distribution
Cast: Abdullah Ibrahim, Duma Ka Ndlovu, Sibongile Khumalo, Vusi Mahlasela, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Thandi Modise, Sifiso Ntuli, Sibusiso Nxumalo, Dolly Rathebe, Lindiwe Zulu, Walter Cronkite, F W De Klerk, Abdullah Ibrahim, Jesse Jackson, Ronnie Kasrils
Director: Lee Hirsch
Countries: South Africa / USA
USA: 108 mins
UK: 103 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for some images of violence, and for momentary language
UK Certificate: 12A contains one use of strong language and moderate violence
USA Release Date: 19 February 2003 (Limited Release - New York)
UK Release Date: 19 December 2003


Synopsis

The power of song to communicate, motivate, console, unite and, ultimately, beget change: that ideal, gloriously realized, lies at the heart of director Lee Hirsch's inspiring feature film documentary AMANDLA! A REVOLUTION IN FOUR-PART HARMONY. Winner of the Audience Award and Freedom of Expression Award at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, AMANDLA! tells the story of black South African freedom music and reveals the central role it played in the long battle against apartheid. The first film to specifically consider the music that sustained and galvanized black South Africans for more than 40 years, AMANDLA!'s focus is on the struggle's spiritual dimension, as articulated and embodied in song. It is unlike any other film yet made on the subject of apartheid, and an electrically expressive portrait of South African life then and now.

AMANDLA! which means 'power' in the Xhosa language, documents Nelson Mandela's release from captivity and election to presidency in South Africa's first non-racial elections in 1994. Ten years later, in April 2004, South Africa goes to the polls again and the nation will celebrate ten years of freedom. To coincide with this, a limited edition 2 disc DVD and soundtrack of AMANDLA! will be released. The cd soundtrack which is exclusive to this limited edition DVD contains many previously unrecorded songs of liberation and tracks from numerous renowned musicians including former exiles Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and Abdullah Ibrahim.

Special features on the DVD include; a 'Sing-Along' Feature; Commentary with director Lee Hirsch and producer Sherry Simpson; 45 minutes of deleted scenes and musical numbers; Trailer Gallery; Dave Matthew's Interview; Q&A with director Lee Hirsch, producer Sherry Simpson and singer/songwriter Vusi Mahlasela at Joe's Pub; and Production Notes.