July 25, 2014 · 7:30 PM
Doors open at 6:30pm.
20 years ago, South Africa’s apartheid regime fell. To mark the occasion, Celebrate Brooklyn! presents a rare screening of AMANDLA: A REVOLUTION IN FOUR-PART HARMONY (2002), an extraordinary documentary featuring Miriam Makeba, Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela, and many others that examines the role music played in the forging of the modern nation. The film takes its name from the Zulu and Xhosa word for “power.” Lee Hirsch, who directed and co-produced Amandla!, will be introducing the film. Hirsch also produced the soundtrack, a collection of South African “freedom songs.” The album was executive produced by Dave Matthews and released on his label ATO Records.
The composer NEO MUYANGA has created an eclectic body of work and a carved out a unique career as one of South Africa’s most original musicians. Born in Soweto, he studied the madrigal tradition in Trieste, Italy, before forming the acoustic pop duo BLK Sonshine with Masauko Chipembere in the 1990s. He went on to write musical theater, chorus songs, and works for chamber and large ensemble—including the operetta The Flower of Shembe, which premiered in 2012. His set here will include his score to South African artist WILLIAM KENTRIDGE’s short film Second-hand Reading (2013), performed live with projection.