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Mama Africa

Play trailer Poster for Mama Africa 2011,  1h 31m,  Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 75% 8 Reviews Tomatometer 80% Fewer than 50 Ratings Popcornmeter
75% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
The life and career of Miriam Makeba, South African singer and crusader against apartheid.

Where to Watch

Mama Africa

Prime Video

Rent Mama Africa on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video.

Critics Reviews

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Robert Abele Los Angeles Times Feb 8, 2018
A portrait of a woman ... whose dynamic range and earth-wide smile made the words and sounds pouring from her like a hand extended, a heart exposed, a story of the world made achingly real. Go to Full Review
Ben Kenigsberg New York Times Jan 18, 2018
Like many biographical documentaries, it resembles a lengthy highlight reel of crucial events from its subject's life, without much in the way of style or perspective. Go to Full Review
Serena Donadoni Village Voice Jan 17, 2018
This queen deserves a monarch-sized portrait that fully showcases her part in the tumultuous social, political, and cultural movements that reshaped the world around her. Go to Full Review
Kam Williams Baret News Jan 22, 2018
4/4
A fitting tribute to a rare talent who dedicated her life to the liberation of oppressed people all over the world. Go to Full Review
André Hereford Film Journal International Jan 19, 2018
Mama Africa, an intriguing but incomplete documentary portrait of Miriam Makeba, succeeds as a glowing introduction to her life and music. Go to Full Review
Craig D. Lindsey Nashville Scene Oct 13, 2017
Mama Africa shows how Miriam Makeba was the antithesis of a diva. Right up until her death in 2008, she was a woman who cared too damn much. Go to Full Review
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Mama Africa

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Cast & Crew

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Mika Kaurismäki

Director

Miriam Makeba

Herself (archive footage)

Harry Belafonte

Himself (archive footage)

Kathleen Cleaver

Herself (as Kathleen Neal Cleaver)

Angélique Kidjo

Self

Stokely Carmichael

Himself (archive footage)

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Mama Africa

Mama Africa (2011) Mama Africa (2011) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The life and career of Miriam Makeba, South African singer and crusader against apartheid.
Director
Mika Kaurismäki
Producer
Rainer Kölmel
Screenwriter
Don Edkins, Mika Kaurismäki
Production Co
Starhaus Filmproduktion GmbH, Arte, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, Millennium Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 5, 2020
Runtime
1h 31m
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