Hot Docs

“They call her Mama Africa, the Queen of South African music: Miriam Makeba.” - Paul Simon, Graceland Tour, Zimbabwe, 1987

In his past three films—Moro no Brasil, Brasileirinho and Sonic Mirror—veteran filmmaker Mika Kaurismäki has explored music from both a sonic and sociological perspective. It was in the ’60s, growing up in a small town in Finland, that he first heard the voice of Miriam Makeba and was exposed to the rich cultural tapestry and politics of the African continent. With affection, Mama Africa is a biography celebrating the late South African singer and anti-apartheid activist, who gained international stardom while never compromising her traditional African roots. Stellar archival footage chronicles her complicated life and exile, performances with Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie, and life with husband Stokely Carmichael. Mama Africa honours a legendary voice and a woman whose moral conviction never wavered. Karina Rotenstein

Screening with The Power of Love (Celine Dion Fans in Kenya)

Co-Presented with Co-presented with Music Africa.