Mama Africa
Synopsis
Miriam Makeba was one of the first African musicians who won international stardom and whose music was always anchored in her traditional South African roots. Miriam Makeba was forced into exile in 1959. She sang for John F. Kennedy, performed with Harry Belafonte and Nina Simone, was married to Hugh Masekela and also Stokely Carmichael. Her life was tumultuous. She always stood for truth and justice. She fought for the oppressed most importantly for black Africans, as a campaigner against apartheid. She died November 2008 after a concert in Italy. Mika Kaurismäki's documentary, traces fifty years of her music and her performing life. Through rare archive footage of her performances and through interviews with her contemporaries we discover the remarkable journey of Miriam Makeba.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Official Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2017-07-18
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
Berlin International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Mika Kaurismäki
- Screenplay & Story
- Mika Kaurismäki, Don Edkins
- Original Title
- Mama Africa
- Country of Origin
- Finland, France, Germany, South Africa
- Spoken Languages
- English, French
- Runtime
- 1h 32m
- Production Studios
- Starhaus Filmproduktion, ZDF, ARTE, Marianna Films, YLE, Millennium Film
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Mika Kaurismäki
Mika Kaurismäki, Don Edkins
Department Leadership Roster
Mika Kaurismäki
Director
Mika Kaurismäki
Writer
Don Edkins
Writer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Mama Africa.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Movies 2018
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mama Africa
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Mama Africa about?
Miriam Makeba was one of the first African musicians who won international stardom and whose music was always anchored in her traditional South African roots. Miriam Makeba was forced into exile in 1959. She sang for John F. Kennedy, performed with Harry Belafonte and Nina Simone, was married to Hugh Masekela and also Stokely Carmichael. Her life was tumultuous. She always stood for truth and justice. She fought for the oppressed most importantly for black Africans, as a campaigner against apartheid. She died November 2008 after a concert in Italy. Mika Kaurismäki's documentary, traces fifty years of her music and her performing life. Through rare archive footage of her performances and through interviews with her contemporaries we discover the remarkable journey of Miriam Makeba.
Who directed Mama Africa?
Mama Africa was directed by Mika Kaurismäki.
Who stars in Mama Africa?
The principal cast of Mama Africa includes Miriam Makeba, Harry Belafonte, Kathleen Cleaver, Nelson Mandela, Kwame Ture.
When was Mama Africa released and how long is it?
Mama Africa was released in 2011 with a total runtime of 1h 32m.