Liyana

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2:00

Liyana

2018

1h 17m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

A Swazi girl embarks on a dangerous mission to save her twin brothers.

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Critics Consensus

Empowering children to share their experiences, Liyana amplifies marginalized voices and iterates storytelling's healing properties, gifting us a joyful documentary.

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

Like Abbas Kiarostami's documentary ABC Africa (2001), the result is an unexpectedly joyous film about heavy subjects.

Apr 9, 2020

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Karen Han

L.A. Weekly

If the rule is "show, don't tell," then Liyana is a success.

Oct 22, 2018

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Kimber Myers

Los Angeles Times

The children's stories alone would have been compelling, but illustrating them in this medium adds even more depth, nuance and emotion.

Oct 18, 2018

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Betsy Bozdech

AWFJ.org

The two worlds the film captures - the orphans' African home and Liyana's gorgeously rendered environment - are ultimately beautiful, despite all of the pain and tragedy they hold...

Oct 11, 2021

Full Review

Cate Marquis

AWFJ.org

In lesser hands, this documentary could have been something simple and too sweet, but Aaron Kopp, who grew up in Swaziland, and his wife Amanda, wisely let the children' express their darker thoughts as well as the hopeful ones.

Oct 11, 2021

Full Review

Kip Mooney

College Movie Review

While much of the story is basic Joseph Campbell Hero's Journey stuff, like any story, it's made memorable by its details.

Rated: B

Aug 21, 2021

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Audience Member

Worse than the worse movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A little interesting and will pass the time, but that is about it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Audience Member

A true work of art. Beautiful in concept and visually stunning.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Inspirational, heartwarming, and visually stunning.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Audience Member

absolute fucking shit, not worth you or ur kids time

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

absolute trash not even worth your consideration

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

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Aaron Kopp

Director

Amanda Kopp

Director

Gcina Mhlophe

Actor

Albie Hecht

Executive Producer

Susan MacLaury

Executive Producer

Davis Coombe

Producer

Dave Not Coming Back

100%

80%

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Pandas

100%

82%

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Sonita

100%

76%

Sonita

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75%

46%

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Liyana: Trailer 1

2:00

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Synopsis

A Swazi girl embarks on a dangerous mission to save her twin brothers.

Director: Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
Producer: Davis Coombe, Sakheni Dlamini, Daniel Junge, Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
Distributor: Abramorama
Production Co: Doha Film Institute, Intaba Creative, Shine Global
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.1K
Runtime: 1h 17m

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