I Dreamed of Africa (2000)

Kuki, a divorced Italian socialite, changes her life after a serious car crash. She accepts a marriage proposal from Paolo Gallmann, a man she doesn't know well, and she moves to Kenya with... See full summary »

Director:

Hugh Hudson

Writers:

Kuki Gallmann (book), Paula Milne (screenplay)

Stars:

Kim Basinger, Vincent Perez, Liam Aiken

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kim Basinger	...	Kuki Gallmann
Vincent Perez	...	Paolo Gallmann
Liam Aiken	...	Emanuele Gallmann - Age 7
Garrett Strommen	...	Emanuele Gallmann - Age 17
Eva Marie Saint	...	Franca
Daniel Craig	...	Declan Fielding
Lance Reddick	...	Simon
Connie Chiume	...	Wanjiku
James Ngobese	...	Luka (as James Ngcobo)
Joko Scott	...	Mirimuk
Nick Boraine	...	Duncan Maitland
Susan Danford	...	Esther Maitland
Ian Roberts	...	Mike Donovan
Susan Monteregge	...	Karen Donovan
Jessica Perritt	...	Lady Diana Delemere

Storyline

Kuki, a divorced Italian socialite, changes her life after a serious car crash. She accepts a marriage proposal from Paolo Gallmann, a man she doesn't know well, and she moves to Kenya with him and her young son to start a cattle ranch. Challenges beset her, not the least of which is Paulo's love of danger and his leaving for days on end to hunt and fish with pals. She must face fierce storms, roving lions, venomous snakes, and murderous poachers, and she must find accommodation with a neighboring tribe. Her mother entreats her to return home. Can Kuki live her dream, tame Paolo, guide her son safely past the perils and errors of youth, and serve Africa?

---

Plot Keywords:

kenya | ranch | italian | snake | dream | 

---

Taglines:

Sometimes the adventure of a lifetime becomes life itself.

---

Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a scene of nudity/sensuality and some violent/traumatic episodes

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final score for a theatrical movie by Composer Maurice Jarre.

---

Goofs

There is a visible string suspending the airborne plate that Paolo shoots (in the party scene, just after they arrive in Africa).

---

Quotes

Kuki Gallmann: We think we control this place, but this place controls us.

---

Crazy Credits

End credits runs entirely over aerial shots from African landscapes.

---

Connections

Featured in HBO First Look: I Dreamed of Africa: On Location (2000)

---

Soundtracks

Voi che sapete
From 'Le Nozze di Figaro'
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte
Performed by Brigitte Fassbaender with the Wiener Philharmoniker (as Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Conducted by István Kertész
Courtesy of The Decca Record Company Limited/London
Under license from Universal Music Special Markets

User Reviews

Well worth watching, Basinger gives another good performance !

I rented this film a while ago on video and thought it was a definite 8/10.

I have since bought it on DVD and decided to watch it again a few days ago. Although not having the same impact as my first viewing, here was my opinion.

I saw this film as a wonderfully photographed movie (based on a True Story) about a very strong willed woman "Kuki Gallman".

In the beginning we see her survive a horrific car crash and raising a family by herself. She decides to marry a man called Paolo (Vincent Perez) whom she has known only a short time. She likes Paolo a lot and sees that he is great with her Son Emmanuel, she makes a very difficult decision against the wishes of her Mother (Eva Marie Saint) to move to Africa to live with him.

Their initially idyllic life is shattered by confrontations with Poachers, Loneliness on her part (as her Husband likes danger and is often away on hunting Trips) and culminates with immense personal tragedy.

The performances were very good in this Movie (including a pre-bond outing for Daniel Craig with an excellent South African accent) Vincent Perez was excellent as Kuki Gallman's Husband Paolo. Overall Kim Basinger was admittedly not up to the Oscar Winning Level of LA Confidential and did have a couple of poorly acted scenes, but also showed flashes of dramatic excellence and touches the viewer in some of the more emotional scenes, So overall her performance was quite good. Eva Marie Saint offered a solid supporting performance as Basinger's Mother.

I have to say that it is obvious to me , film critics and a lot of others did not really give this film a chance and possibly compared it to Out of Africa. This is unfair as the film is set in different time and about different individuals. I personally found this film much more watchable than the aforementioned film but probably not as well acted.

Hugh Hudson has directed a great looking film, but the script needed additional work, which would have improved the impact of some scenes.

All in all though this film is well worth your time, do watch it and form your own opinions. 7/10

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 May 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

I Dreamed of Africa

Filming Locations:

South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,411,445, 7 May 2000

Gross USA:

$6,651,522

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,400,327

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Global Entertainment Productions GmbH & Company Medien KG, Jaffilms

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1