The soundtrack for GOD IS AFRICAN has been released just in time for the festive season shopping rush. It also launches the marketing and publicity campaign on this groundbreaking cinema release, and aims to generate early word-of-mouth on the film. Seeing that the movie centres around a hot new campus radio DJ, the soundtrack captures the essence of emerging young music stars. In the same way that the film looks at a generation not limited by the constraints of the past, the soundtrack is a good representation of the fresh and innovative musical styles evolving locally.
Says Paul Thackwray from Sony Music: "GOD IS AFRICAN is unique in the way that it unites South African urban culture; we focussed on emulating this in the soundtrack, mixing all that is local, urban and youth onto one album. The soundtrack contains already established hits from SA's biggest artists and some new material from promising new musicians. We hope the album serves to convey all levels of urban youth music - both overground and underground."
Helen Kuun, Marketing Manager - Local Films for SKP sees GOD IS AFRICAN as "...a funky and enjoyable film. So, it is only fitting that the soundtrack is in the same vein. We are really looking forward to releasing a local film with popular stars that will appeal primarily to a young, hip and cool generation on the big screen. And it's such a bonus to have a title with both Sami Sabiti and Hakeem Kae Kazeem in one film!"
GOD IS AFRICAN won the Special Jury Prize at the recent Durban International Film Festival. Judges praised the film "for breaking new ground and asking important, unpopular questions with a limited budget". Set in post-apartheid South Africa, the film follows Femi who attempts to raise awareness about human rights-issues (which includes a protest to free Ken Siro Wiwa) on a campus radio station.
However, his attempts backfire and set in motion a destructive chain of events, which inspire the children of the post-apartheid generation to confront the issue of how it feels to be African at the turn of the 21st Century.
The film, a social comedy-drama, was shot on a shoestring budget and is the first feature film by acclaimed local acting talent Akin Omotoso. It stars well-known South African actors and celebrities such as Hakeem Kae Kazim, Sami Sabiti, Esmeralda Bihl, Hugh Masebenza, Dudu Yende, Phat Joe, Dada Koyana, Ishmael and The Admiral. It is the first film project from local production company TranxAfrica Films & Television (Pty) Limited.
Music critic Diane Coetzer had the following to say about the soundtrack in Billboard magazine: "If GOD IS AFRICAN is being hailed as marking a new consciousness of what it is to be African, then unquestionably the film's original soundtrack must be acclaimed as the most vivid example yet of the music that propels South Africa's hip young things. Showcasing a dazzling breadth of musical style and skills, GOD IS AFRICAN is essential and singular listening for music fans everywhere."
