Amandla!A Revolution in Four Part Harmony

Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony

D: Lee Hirsch.

Documentary Series

The history of apartheid in South Africa is an ugly story, but one that needs to be told. The documentary Amandla! finds a way to impart this sad history while raising our spirits at the same time. The movie examines the integral role music played in nurturing, spurring, and sustaining the revolt against apartheid during the entire latter half of the 20th century. Whether to fuel protest or assuage grief, music was essential to the movement’s drive. As internationally renowned artists such as Abdullah Ibrahim, Miriam Makeba, and Hugh Masekela join other South African artists in unfolding the history of this nationally specific music they consequently also relate the history of this national political disgrace.

This article appears in October 18 • 2002.

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Marjorie Baumgarten is a film critic and contributing writer at The Austin Chronicle, where she has worked in many capacities since the paper's founding in 1981. She served as the Chronicle's Film Reviews editor for 25 years.