"Mama Africa" at 61st Berlin International Film Festival

Directed and produced by talented and extremely productive Finnish director Mika Kaurismäki, Mama Africa documents the story of Miriam Makeba (1932-2008), a South African human rights fighter and singer. During her life, Makeba criticized the apartheid politics in South Africa even though she used to say her songs were not about politics but the truth. Her legacy, influence and strong mental attitude touched the whole Africa. Makeba was forced to live over 30 years in exile far from her family and friends after losing her citizenship as a result of her political ideas and actions.

She spent her long years in exile in New Guinea and New York and frequently performed in Germany. Miriam Makeba always stood for truth and justice on behalf of oppressed people everywhere not only in Africa. "When we decided to make the film, Miriam Makeba was still alive, but just before we started filming she fell ill on stage in Italy and died," says Kaurismäki. "For a moment we even considered cancelling the project but then we continued because Makeba deserves a film."
Co-produced by Starhaus (Germany), Mika Kaurismäki's production company Marianna Films (Finland) and Millennium Films (South Africa), the documentary distributed by Amsterdam based company Fortissimo Films promises to be among the favorites in Panorama for the incredible message of an extraordinary person victim of the misuse of power.