I only saw a few minutes of Sarafina!, but I must comment. I think a musical can never be a great teaching tool for anything but a drama class. I have been to South Africa, and granted, it has changed since the days of apartheid, what I saw in this movie is nothing like reality. Even today, the classrooms are not that nice, and the black people I met were nothing like the ones in the movie. I was privileged to see a few concerts of African music, and to spend a large amount of time in classrooms, both in white schools and black schools (yes, they are still segregated, although by location, class and money, rather than law). The general attitude of the people I saw in the movie was inaccurate, as were many details. I couldn't even figure out exactly what story they were trying to tell until I looked it up on TV Guide because it was so generically "African". I am sure that as entertainment and emotional manipulation, the movie is quite effective, but if you are interested in history, please find a more accurate source.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Dangerous Liaisons
(1988)
Fascinating, but slow.
24 June 2001
I love the rich, intricate plot, but it is delivered a little slow by today's standards. The acting, for the most part, is magnificent, only excepting Keanu Reeves. He has seriously matured since he was in Dangerous Liaisons, and it is painfully obvious every time he opens his mouth, and Ted speaks his lines. The scenery and costumes are so opulent, it almost makes one wish to visit the time. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars--not perfect, but well made and enjoyable, especially if you knit.
Tell Your Friends