South African teenagers fight against apartheid in the Soweto Uprising.
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Title: Sarafina! (1992)
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3 nominations.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Leleti Khumalo | ... | Sarafina | |
| Whoopi Goldberg | ... | Mary Masembuko | |
| Miriam Makeba | ... | Angelina | |
| John Kani | ... | School Principal | |
 |
Dumisani Dlamini | ... | Crocodile |
| Mbongeni Ngema | ... | Sabela | |
|
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Sipho Kunene | ... | Guitar |
|
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Tertius Meintjes | ... | Lieutenant Bloem |
|
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Robert Whitehead | ... | Interrogator |
|
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Somizi Mhlongo | ... | Fire (as Somizi 'Whacko' Mhlongo) |
|
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Nhlanhla Ngema | ... | Stimela |
|
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Faca Khulu | ... | Eddie (as Faca Kulu) |
|
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Wendy Mseleku | ... | China |
|
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Mary Twala | ... | Sarafina's Grandmother |
|
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James Mthoba | ... | Sarafina's Uncle |
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Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
As tentions of Apatheid spreads accross South Africa, many students revolts to massive stone throw, a demonstration that comes in a wake of the introduction of Afrikanas language as a means of teaching. This sparks riots among school age young people who have resolved to do what it takes for freedom to come tomorrow. In a township of Soweto, a group of students, led by a young beautiful and intelligent girl Sarafina, mastermind a plot to rise against the Apatheid regime by velmently rejecting the proposal to have Africanas as a medium of instruction and this angers the white people and results in a massive unrest of the students and those others supporting them. Mean while, Sarafina's mother accepts a job of a housekeeper in a white woman and somehow it angers Sarafina. Following the unrest of students and therd possible torture and trial, Sarafina is realesed from prison, reunites with some of the coleagues and composes a "Freedom is Coming Tomorrow" song. Written by Isaac Museka Lupupa
Taglines:
The Sound of Freedom See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for scenes of apartheid-driven violence | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Details
Release Date:
25 September 1992 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Sarafina! Il profumo della libertà See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$7,306,242Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Film composer Stanley Myer's last scored film. See more »Quotes
Sarafina: Come on, Nelson. Why can't I be a star? What does a star do? Nothing. Look at the camera, flash! Smile at the camera, flash! Look at everybody, big eyes! Say nothing. Stars don't do, stars just be.See more »
Alternate Versions
Exclusive Director's Cut is available on laserdisc and features 15 minutes of additional footage not shown in theaters. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Sarafina! is all about strength, about people lacking it and people overflowing with it. Sarafina herself is a Soweto girl with great hopes for the future, despite her family's poverty and her mother's (Miriam Makeba) work away from home, forcing Sarafina to take care of her younger siblings. This is South Africa, Johannesburg, during the Apartheid regime, Mandela is in prison and the black children are forbidden to speak their own language, Xosa (you know, the click language... :)). Yet, Sarafina dreams. Her world brightens up when her class get a new teacher (Whoopi Goldberg), who teaches them about their worth and to be proud of their heritage. I fully recommend this movie, the actors, young and practically unheard of, are fantastic, the script is sharp, and the music! See this movie for the music alone. No Makeba, but lots of powerful political Soweto tunes. Go Sarafina!