Mama Africa

Mika Kaurismäki:
Mama Africa (Finland, 2011)
89 min. - English, French - Finnish and Swedish subtitles

Mama Africa, by Mika Kaurismäki (Moro No Brasil, The Sound of Rio: Brasileirinho), is a documentary about the exceptionally talented and charismatic South African musician Miriam Makeba (1932-2008). The iconic singer and human rights activist toured the world promoting equality and peace, speaking against racism and poverty.

Despite her efforts to help people – or very likely because of them – Miriam Makeba experienced a great deal of hardship during her life. After being banished from South Africa she moved to the United States where her promising career faced a wall when she married Stokely Charmichael, one of the leaders of the Black Power movement. However, Stokely’s reputation wasn’t the only reason for Makeba’s unpopularity. The outspoken woman didn’t hold back in her social commentary: according to her, the only difference between the racial politics of the U.S. and South Africa was that in South Africa it was out in the open.

In the documentary Kaurismäki reminds us that in addition to being an activist, Miriam Makeba was first and foremost a singer – and a brilliant one at that. In Mama Africa we hear Makeba perform her best known songs, both live on stage and spontaneously during a taxi journey with her granddaughter. Makeba was truly one of those people for whom singing was as easy as breathing, and we dare to argue that listening to her songs is beneficial to one's health.

Check out also:

» Hélène Lee, Christophe Farnarier: The First Rasta / La Premiere Rasta
» Göran Hugo Olsson:: The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
» Johannes Liemola: Aukusti L. - Laulu ei lakkaa
» Hélène Lee, Christophe Farnarier: The First Rasta / La Premiere Rasta
» Göran Hugo Olsson:: The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
» Johannes Liemola: Aukusti L. - Laulu ei lakkaa

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Su 20.11.2011 17:00 at Tapio 3