Under African Skies Reviews

If you have the chance, take an opportunity to check out the incredible documentary from director Joe Berlinger that chronicles how Paul Simon defied a United Nations boycott to record an album in South Africa during apartheid. That album of course was his landmark 1985 release Graceland. Over two decades later Simon's genius is still on display in a rip-roaring reunion concert held last year with the South African musicians he recorded the album with, all the while raising provocative questions about artistic freedom versus political morals. Under African Skies works as a cultural milestone, laced with amazing music and held together by a core theme of the power of art to heal and implement change.

While Graceland is undeniably one of the most widely accepted albums of the 20th century, it's not only the powerful rhythms, vocals, and funk music that made it the pop gem it is today - it was also the legacy of apartheid and the 'political storm' that threatened to tear it down. Under African Skies channels that story through international 'pop' critics and fans, documenting the unease that Graceland inhabitied at the beginning, capturing that perfect mix where all the tensions rise to a perfect boiling point where the human spirit 'bubbles' over with an unbridled enthusiasm to invoke individualism and freedom instead of rage and resentful attitudes. While the sacrifices Paul Simon's South African counterparts have to endure once they fully commit to the project isn't as detailed as I would have liked, the musicians still speak with a generous tone and a heart full of stories that are stolidly vivid and relevant in their minds and bodies today as they were yesterday. Harry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, and a whole arsenal of the best South African musicians you'd never know lend their commentary and paint the reality, controversy, and metaphysical HAPPINESS they carried with them while recording and touring on this off-the-charts album experience. Highly Recommended.

This documentary manages to paint a good picture of the hardships of apartheid and portrays how music can overcome many large problems. As well as a good opportunity to reflect on how silly the un acted in response to Paul Simon's trip to South Africa. The music is also thoroughly enjoyable as well as guests varying from Paul McCartney to Oprah Winfrey. My only negative from the documentary was the pace, which I think was to slow. 4 stars.

See this now and turn the volume up.

Joe Berlinger captures the pure joy of transcendent artists who have sustained the South African heartbeat through a lifetime of political turmoil. The endorsement of the ANC or the repugnant Dali Tambo was, and never will be necessary. Miriam Makeba and Simon together on stage reduced me to tears !

I like the way the documentary juxtaposes an opponent of what Simon did, saying 'of course the poor black musicians wanted to work with a rich famous white guy' with one of the musicians saying 'I had never heard of him or any of his songs before.' From watching their respect for Simon (they were impressed at how he joined straight in for the take of 'Under African Skies,' perfectly in tune and time) and the way an appearance on Saturday Night Live changed everything, this is a remarkable story. Tambo's son can't quite bring himself to say Simon was right to make the album without the ANC's permission, but he almost does. I'd have loved to see him front up to some of the African musicians involved in the album, who were convinced it was right. And then, Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba getting involved in touring the album even though they weren't on the recording. How could it have been wrong? Just four years later, Mandela was free.

Just flat out a must watch doco about the story behind Paul Simons "Graceland". The idea that a once polarising argument can be explained by both sides in a civil manner 25 years later gives insight and hope.

Amazing, just amazing. We saw Paul Simon at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in July 2011, just before he went back to SA for the reunion. The concert was an amazing almost religious experience. Seeing the film made me appreciate Paul Simon even more than I have for the last 45 years. What an artist. The movie brought tears to my eyes throughout.

A remarkable film. Yes, the music is great and the story compelling. But the pacing of this film is excellent and the takeaway -- that music can bring divergent cultures and political perspectives together -- is heartwarming and important. I see a fair number of films and this one ranks up there with one of the best of 2012 for thoughtfulness, heart and great music. The audience applauded at the end of the film and stayed all the way through the credits -- that's the sign of a good film. It will likely get limited release so you may have to search for it, but definitely worth seeing.

An illuminating, multi-dimensional documentary that celebrates the musicians behind the Graceland album - and examines the political controversy surrounding it.

The music is terrific, and the underlying content: the meaning of Paul working with black South African musicians during the anti-aphartied cultural boycott - is aired articulately on both sides. I was smiling most of the way through, and the audience was enthusiastic, not leaving until all the credits were gone.