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Sarafina!

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Sarafina!

PG-13

Released Sep 11, 1992

1h 38m

Musical

Drama

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Popcornmeter

60%

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10 Reviews

86%

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5,000+ Ratings

Sarafina (Leleti Khumalo) is a young black South African struggling for freedom during the apartheid. While she has remained relatively silent in her opposition of the racist government in her country, the movement to make the language of Afrikaans the official language in her school leads her to protest in the streets with her fellow students. Her anti-government views become even more intense when her favorite teacher (Whoopi Goldberg) is arrested for protesting.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

This movie doesn't know what it believes.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 2/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

While Sarafina! is unabashedly propagandistic on behalf of its young black heroes, even the viewpoint of the murdered black constable can be felt -- with Ngema himself as the charming yet unprincipled quisling.

Apr 16, 2018

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Andrea Beach

Common Sense Media

Sobering musical about apartheid includes brutal violence.

Rated: 3/5

May 5, 2015

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 18, 2005

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Daniel M. Kimmel

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Rated: 3/5

Dec 7, 2004

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DOMONIQUE S

I THINK IT'S A STUPID MOVIE, MAN.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/11/23

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Audience Member

A must see for all black people!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A buffet of African heritage and culture , True African warrior spirit.. #vivasouthafrica

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Audience Member

Sarafina Is One Of The Best Movies

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Audience Member

The critical consensus here is rubbish probably spawning from white guilt. tHE audience score says it all. sarafina is a timeless masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

The actors are brilliant and bring the songs and their meanings to life. The songs evoke true emotion to anyone who watches it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Darrell James Roodt

Director

Leleti Khumalo

Sarafina

Whoopi Goldberg

Mary Masembuko

Miriam Makeba

Angelina

John Kani

School Principal

Mbongeni Ngema

Sabela

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Synopsis

Sarafina (Leleti Khumalo) is a young black South African struggling for freedom during the apartheid. While she has remained relatively silent in her opposition of the racist government in her country, the movement to make the language of Afrikaans the official language in her school leads her to protest in the streets with her fellow students. Her anti-government views become even more intense when her favorite teacher (Whoopi Goldberg) is arrested for protesting.

Director: Darrell James Roodt
Producer: Anant Singh, David M. Thompson
Screenwriter: Mbongeni Ngema, William Nicholson
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Videovision Entertainment, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax Films, Les Films Ariane, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Distant Horizon, Vanguard Films Production
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Musical, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 11, 1992, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.3M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround, Stereo

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