Movie Review: Imba Means Sing
THE SET-UP
experiences of members of the African Children’s Choir are chronicled
in this documentary, as told through the words of the children
themselves.
a film that tells the stories of the members of the African Children’s
Choir as they travel around North America. Rarely has a film managed to
break my heart and then put it back together again, with a story so
uplifting and hopeful, it will stay with you long after the credits
roll.
African Children’s Choir is a Grammy-nominated group made up of young
children from impoverished African countries. Children chosen for the
choir tour the United States, Canada, and Britain for a time, and the
money raised during that tour pays for their tuition at a special
academy for tour members, which gives them an opportunity at a better
education and a better life.
Imba Means Sing
focuses on three of the choir’s members as they tour North America. The
children, Moses, Angel, and Nina, are all from Uganda, and the film not
only chronicles their experiences in America, it also gives us a look
at their lives back home in the Ugandan slums. In heart-wrenching
detail, we see what their life would be without the choir, which
promises nothing but poverty and a hopeless future.
Telling
their story could easily have been emotionally exploitative, but
instead, director Danielle Bernstein allows the children the chance to
tell their story earnestly, in a manner that focuses on their hope for
the future. It is both painful to comprehend their existence and yet
uplifting to see them voice their determination to give their family a
better life.
During
the course of the film, we watch the young members of the choir as they
marvel at things like clean running water they can access indoors, and
rather than hear them dwell on their miserable upbringing, the children
choose to voice hope for the future. It is a humbling viewing
experience, with the human drama interlaced with their musical
performances at just the right times, so the film keeps a positive tone.
We also get to hear Nina voice her dream of becoming Uganda’s first
female President, and Moses’ dream of becoming a pilot is answered in an
unexpected way.
Director
of Photography Jason Maris captures the film in a beautiful, unassuming
manner. It is so difficult for documentaries to capture key emotional
moments without being too intrusive, but you never feel that here, and
Maris’ efforts on this film should be noted.
Without
providing too many spoilers, the film ends with the children returning
to Africa and starting a new life at the academy. What could have been a
downer of an ending is instead the most uplifting part of the picture,
as we watch the children voice their dreams for the future, in a scene
which will bring tears to your eyes for all the right reasons.
The emotional impact sneaks up on you, and director Bernstein tells the
story almost effortlessly, and without pulling any punches. It is a
celebration of the human spirit the camera rarely catches. Do not miss
this experience. And do bring Kleenex.
Imba
Means Sing will be released digitally December 4, 2015. 100% of the
filmmaker profits will be donated to help educate more children in
Africa through the work of the African Children’s Choir. It will be
available through digital retailers including Amazon, iTunes, and VUDU.com. You can visit the official movie website for more information, ImbaFilm.com.
