The story of music as protest, survival, and resistance in the South African anti-apartheid movement.
Recognition
Under apartheid, music was not a luxury. It was a weapon, a lifeline, and the language of a movement that could not always speak above a whisper. Amandla! traces the role of song – freedom songs, protest songs, lullabies, hymns – in the South African struggle against apartheid.
Through the voices of activists, musicians, and survivors – including Miriam Makeba, Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela, and Vusi Mahlasela – the film traces how music crossed generational and ideological lines to hold a movement together.
Directed by Lee Hirsch, Amandla! won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002. It was distributed by Artisan Entertainment.
"Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony review"
Variety · 2002 · Read →