Sarafina! (1992)

South African teenagers fight against apartheid in the Soweto Uprising.

Director:

Darrell Roodt (as Darrell James Roodt)

Writers:

Mbongeni Ngema (play), Mbongeni Ngema (screenplay)

Stars:

Whoopi Goldberg, Leleti Khumalo, Miriam Makeba

3 nominations.

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
Sipho Kunene	...	Guitar
Tertius Meintjes	...	Lieutenant Bloem
Robert Whitehead	...	Interrogator
Somizi Mhlongo	...	Fire (as Somizi 'Whacko' Mhlongo)
Nhlanhla Ngema	...	Stimela
Faca Khulu	...	Eddie (as Faca Kulu)
Wendy Mseleku	...	China
Mary Twala	...	Sarafina's Grandmother
James Mthoba	...	Sarafina's Uncle

Storyline

As tensions of apartheid spread across South Africa, many students revolts to massive stone throw, a demonstration that comes in a wake of the introduction of Afrikaans 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 beautiful and intelligent young girl, Sarafina, mastermind a plot to rise against the apartheid regime by vehemently rejecting the proposal to have Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. This angers the white people and results in a massive unrest of the students and those others supporting them. Meanwhile, Sarafina's mother accepts a job of a housekeeper in a white household and it angers Sarafina. Following the unrest of students and their possible torture and trial, Sarafina is released from prison, reunites with some of the colleagues and composes a "Freedom is Coming Tomorrow" song.

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Plot Keywords:

teacher | reference to nelson mandela | reference to soweto uprising | death of teacher | eponymous name | 

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Taglines:

She was their teacher. They were her hope.

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for scenes of apartheid-driven violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway production of "Sarafina!" opened at the Cort Theater in New York on January 28, 1988, ran for 597 performances and was nominated for the 1988 Tony Awards for the Best Musical and Score. Dumisani Dlamini, Leleti Khumalo, Nhlanhla Ngema and 'Mbongeni Ngema' recreated their roles in the movie version. A nomination for the 1988 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical went to Leleti Khumalo.

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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.

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Alternate Versions

Exclusive Director's Cut is available on laserdisc and features 15 minutes of additional footage not shown in theaters.

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Connections

Version of Voices of Sarafina! (1988)

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Soundtracks

Vuma Diozi Lami
Written by Mbongeni Ngema
Performed by Leleti Khumalo

User Reviews

Full of joy and tears - what a gem!

I bought this cheap from the rental remnant at our local store. It was in almost mint condition, and I'd never heard of it before. Clearly nobody else had either.

I can't believe my luck. You go through the whole realm of emotions and it attempts to get over a complex message - the very moral and non-triumphalist stance of the Mandela Party, undoubtedly. Despite its enormous length (I had to watch it in two sittings) - it was like a book one couldn't put down. Perhaps the songs are not all that memorable, but the spirit of the thing glows on forever. I cannot understand comments that a musical (clearly designed for stage) is not realistic! I've seen "South Pacific" and read the book too, and can guarantee that musical is not realistic compared to the book. I'll treasure this little find until it wears out. One day they'll make this again on a better budget.

Details

Country:

South Africa UK France USA

Language:

English Zulu

Release Date:

25 September 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sarafina! Il profumo della libertà

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$76,488, 20 September 1992

Gross USA:

$7,306,242

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,306,242

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Distant Horizon, Hollywood Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1