(Sharon
Katz)
When Nelson Mandela was finally released from prison, South
African musician and music therapist Sharon Katz joined with singer and
educator Nonhlanhla Wanda to form a 500-voice multiracial choir to break through
Apartheid’s barriers. Threatened with bombs and thwarted at every turn, they
prevailed and railroaded across the country aboard The Peace Train.
Singing their way into the hearts, minds and soul of a divided South
Africa in the midst of a civil war, they promoted a peaceful transition to
democracy and went on to become Mandela’s face of the new nation by performing
at special events in South Africa and America.
What happened then, and what’s happening in the country now, are
depicted in the compelling and joyful new documentary film, When Voices Meet, starring John Kani,
Abigail Kubeka, Sharon Katz, Nonhlanhla Wanda and the cast of The Peace
Train. Its world premiere will be at the
Durban International Film Festival in July 2015.
“They said it couldn’t – and shouldn’t – be done,” says Sharon
Katz. “KwaZulu-Natal was in flames from political violence, and the apartheid
government wasn’t ready for the transition to a nonracial democracy. But as
thousands lined the streets around Durban City Hall in 1993 to attend the
original When Voices Meet concert
with its 500-voice multicultural choir and band, the way forward became clear.
And when those courageous musicians were joined by Ladysmith Black Mambazo to
take their message across the country aboard The Peace Train, there was no
turning back.“
When
Voices Meet documents the trials, tribulations and
triumphs of those musician activists and young choir members. They performed
together for seven years; never lost touch with one another; and then reunited
20 years later to tell their stories and reflect upon The Peace Train’s impact
on their views of South Africa today.
“It’s an inspiring, global story of determination and hope despite
tremendous obstacles, and shows a South Africa we all need to remember,” adds Katz.
When
Voices Meet has already been nominated for Best
Documentary Film, Best Original Music/Soundtrack and Best Director in the USA
and will be screening across America this year.
Music is by Sharon Katz with sound by Malcolm Nhleko. Cinematography
is by Croc Ngwenya, Malcolm Nhleko, Marilyn Cohen, Mark Kaplan, and Satish
Dhupelia. Story consultants were Clive Read and Nonhlanhla Wanda with Nancy
Sutton Smith as producer, director and editor. The Executive Producer of the
film is Marilyn Cohen.
For more information email Sharon Katz and Marilyn Cohen at film@whenvoicesmeet.com or visit http://whenvoicesmeet.com
or Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/WhenVoicesMeet
or Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhenVoicesMeet
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