Under African Skies

Joe Berlinger:
Under African Skies (USA, South Africa, 2012)
101 min. - English

With a combination of African and American musical traditions that was new to the mass market/mainstream music, Paul Simon�€�s Graceland sold millions of copies in the 1980s. However, despite its success, the record spawned controversy on artistic and political levels. Simon was accused of violating the UN sanctions against apartheid-infected South Africa by working with its musicians. He failed to see how boycotting the oppressed would make things better.

Directed by award-winning Joe Berlinger (the man behind the Metallica documentary Some Kind of Monster, a modern classic), Under African Skies follows Simon on his journey back to South Africa to celebrate the album�€�s 25th anniversary by holding a memory-filled concert with the original musicians who playing on it. Amidst rehearsals Simon recalls the political, the artistic and the commercial complexities that surrounded Graceland as well as reflecting on his entire career.

Alongside Simon, the impressive documentary brings forth many of the people who made the record possible. They bring additional insight into the events surrounding its birth, but also tell about the troubled history of South Africa. They help make Under African Skies a first-class documentary about change, music and the societal role of an artist.

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Under African Skies

Sun 18th Nov at 12:00pm Kerubi