Opening Gala
Friday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.
West Coast Premiere
Paul Simon’s historic Graceland album sold millions of copies and united cultures, yet divided world opinion on the boundaries of art, politics, and commerce. On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of Graceland‘s release, Simon returns to South Africa for a reunion concert that unearths the turbulent birth of the album. Despite its huge success as a popular fusion of American and African musical styles, Graceland spawned intense political crossfire. Simon was accused of breaking the United Nations’ cultural boycott of South Africa, which was designed to end apartheid. Under African Skies is both a buoyant chronicle of unparalleled artistic achievement and a profound rumination on the role of the artist in society.
“Berlinger doesn’t just hit this one out of the park — he takes it to a transcendent level, weaving the politics and the music into a fascinating, compelling and personal story.”
— Author and film critic Marshall Fine
Official website
Documentary feature - 2012
Director: Joe Berlinger
Language: English
Runtime: 101 Minutes
Sundance Film Festival, 2012
Rating: PG
The screening will be followed by a South African celebration at the Denman Cinemas, featuring food and drink from our generous Gala Sponsors: Nandos, International Cellars, Kanu Wines, Winds of Change, Ceres Juices, Gold Seal, Sun Rich, PMA Canada and Amarula!