Underplayed Gems

Mama Africa – Miriam Makeba (2011)

Mama Africa – Miriam Makeba poster
Original title
Mama Africa
Directed by
Mika Kaurismäki
Genre
documentary film, biographical film
Country
South Africa, Germany, Finland
Runtime
1h 32m
Rated
PG12
Rating
5.6 of 10 from 15 voters
Elsewhere
IMDb
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How it feels

This documentary tells the life story of South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba. It uses lots of archive material and interviews with her friends and children.

informativerespectfularchivalreflectiveinspiringpersonalmusicalhistorical

What happens

Mama Africa on Mika Kaurismäen ohjaama, vuonna 2011 ensi-iltansa saanut elämäkertadokumentti eteläafrikkalaisesta laulajasta ja kansalaisoikeustaistelijasta Miriam Makebasta. Dokumentin selkärankana on Makebasta säilynyt runsas arkistoaineisto, minkä lisäksi elokuvassa haastatellaan Makeban muusikkoystäviä ja lapsia. Miriam Makeba ehti kuolla vuonna 2008, jolloin Kaurismäki oli vasta aloittelemassa dokumentin tekoa. Makeba ehti kuitenkin antaa tekijävalinnalle hyväksyntänsä. Dokumentti sai Berliinin filmifestivaaleilla 2011 yleisöpalkinnon. Vuonna 2012 dokumentti palkittiin juryn erikoispalkinnolla The Pan African Film Festivaaleilla Los Angelesissa. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

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