The Ancestors
Wahenga
Synopsis
This film follows John Kitime, a Tanzanian musician now in his 60s, as he sets out on a mission to put together an all-star band from the old days to revive the classic sound of Zilipendwa music. Along the way, he meets the people who played key roles in the music scene of Tanzania during the struggle for independence and the nation's formative years under the first president, Julius K. Nyerere. As Kitime plays with the band, spends time with musicians and digitizes reel-to-reel tapes from the 1960s and '70s, he reveals a fascinating and little-known story about the power of music to bring together a people and a nation.
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Rebecca Corey, Amil Shivji
- Screenplay & Story
- Rebecca Corey, Amil Shivji
- Original Title
- Wahenga
- Country of Origin
- Tanzania
- Spoken Languages
- Swahili
- Runtime
- 1h 33m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Rebecca Corey, Amil Shivji
Rebecca Corey, Amil Shivji
Rebecca Corey, Amil Shivji, Jerome William
Department Leadership Roster
Rebecca Corey
Director
Amil Shivji
Director
Rebecca Corey
Writer
Amil Shivji
Writer
Rebecca Corey
Editor
Amil Shivji
Editor
Jerome William
Editor
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Ancestors.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Ancestors
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Ancestors about?
This film follows John Kitime, a Tanzanian musician now in his 60s, as he sets out on a mission to put together an all-star band from the old days to revive the classic sound of Zilipendwa music. Along the way, he meets the people who played key roles in the music scene of Tanzania during the struggle for independence and the nation's formative years under the first president, Julius K. Nyerere. As Kitime plays with the band, spends time with musicians and digitizes reel-to-reel tapes from the 1960s and '70s, he reveals a fascinating and little-known story about the power of music to bring together a people and a nation.
Who directed The Ancestors?
The Ancestors was directed by Rebecca Corey, Amil Shivji.
Who stars in The Ancestors?
The principal cast of The Ancestors includes Not specified.
When was The Ancestors released and how long is it?
The Ancestors was released in 2018 with a total runtime of 1h 33m.