A documentary about the life of isicathamiya legend Joseph Shabalala has bagged a second award at the Art & Tourism Film Festival in Portugal.
The doccie, titled Music is My Life, has been doing well since it opened at the Encounters Film Festival SA in Johannesburg in June. Shabalala is the late leader of isicathamiya group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
In its latest fit, the documentary won in the Best Music and Dance Film category. It was shortlisted out of 87 films shown during the festival. In October, it opened in 25 cinemas in London and its last screening was on Sunday. It further got a standing ovation when it was screened at the Durban International Film Festival in July.
The doccie tells the story of Shabalala, who rose to international fame with his band Ladysmith Black Mambazo after contributing to Paul Simon’s massively successful Graceland album. The documentary covers the singer’s life, from his early years in rural SA to the height of Shabalala’s global fame. The film also documents the complex history of isicathamiya music and features many stars he worked with.
Director of the film Mpumi Mbele said: “It has been a beautiful and challenging experience for the team. It took us five years to complete the film and every time it achieves something it reminds us why we did it in the first place. We have seen people watching the film crying and some loving the story. Winning the award shows the importance of the film to the world. It reflects the icon that Bab’u Shabalala is. All these great moments show that people appreciate the story.”
On opening in London cinemas, Mbele said: “There is no African documentary that has opened in so many cinemas at the same time. When the last screening was happening, Ladysmith Black Mambazo was also performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The documentary is also showing on Sky TV and sitting at number 7 on the list of the most-watch documentaries. It is also showing in Germany."
Producer Carolyn Carew said: “It was a great honour to be able to travel to Famita, Portugal, to receive the award for our film and for the support we received from the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, both while making this film and for entering our film into the festival.”
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