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Leleti Khumalo, Whoopi Goldberg, Miriam Makeba, John Kani, Mbongeni Ngema ... see more see more... , Mate Bashe , Michele Bestbier , Ishamel Boikanyo , Gideon de Wet , Thulani Didi , Sbongile Dingatha , Dumisani Dlamini , Gugwana Dlamini , Vukani "Marko" Dlamini , Bafana Hendriks , Mfana "Jones" Hlope , Faca Kulu , Sipho Kunene , Dipuo Lehlongwa , Dixon Malele , David Manqele , Khanyo Maphumulo , Billy Mashigo , Tertius Meintjes , Batho Mhlongo , Somizi "Whacko" Mhlongo , Bheki Mqadi , Princess Msala , Wendy Mseleku , Velaphi Msini , James Mthoba , Olga Mvicane , Patrick Ndlovu , Sam Ngakane , Siphamandla Ngcamu , Siya Ngcobe , Nhlanhla Ngema , Sibusiso Ngema , Vincent Ngobese , Ayanda Nhlangothi , Congo Radebe , Nicky Rebelo , Zanele Sangweni , Louis Seboko , Eric Seema , Doris Sehula , Khululiwe Sithole , Dominic Skosana , Mary Twala , Robert Whithead , James Whyle , Pheto Wildeman , Greg Latter , Robert Whitehead

Whoopi Goldberg stars in this musical take on the South African struggles against Apartheid in the mid-1970s, during the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela. An adaptation of Mbongeni Ngema's popular music... read more read more...al, which ran on Broadway from 1988 to 1989, Sarafina! recounts the political coming of age of the title character, a high school girl involved in the Soweto student protests of 1976. At first just a petulant bundle of energy, more interested in boys than civil rights, Sarafina (Leleti Khumalo) learns of the Afrikaaner oppression through the underground lectures of her teacher, Mary Masembuko (Goldberg). Sarafina's mother, who works as a servant in a white household and never sees her children, urges Sarafina to toe the line. But she can no longer turn a blind eye when the government imprisons her teacher and slaughters her would-be boyfriend during an arson protest. Incited to rebellion, the students kill a crooked black constable, leaving Sarafina to wrestle with their decision to use violence against the government's strictures. Ever tightening its grip, the ruling regime would kill 575 blacks over eight months in an attempt to quell the civil unrest. The sober subject matter is leavened by Ngema's jubilant songs and Michael Peters' electric choreography. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

Flixster Users

82% liked it

6,063 ratings

Critics

50% liked it

8 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Darrel James Roodt, Darrell Roodt

Release Date: September 18, 1992

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DVD Release Date: June 4, 2002

Stats: 335 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (335)

  • ScoopOnline
    December 13, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Brilliant!
  • TheQueenJay
    July 12, 2008
    TheQueenJay
    Wow wow wow! That's all I have to say about Sarafina. Everytime I watch this, I'm alerted of the trials Africa's people went through & go through every single day & I cry everytime I watch the moving movie. Watch Sarafina!
  • sapphirechaos05
    August 2, 2007
    sapphirechaos05
    one of my all time favs...whoopi and the girl...

    the kids in the jail, the beatings, the fires...
    man...no words
  • zappasgal
    April 19, 2007
    zappasgal
    The cultural music in this movie is so beautiful. To take a look at what children could stand up to....
  • BluAmazon
    April 1, 2007
    BluAmazon
    I first fell in love with the play so when the movie was made using some of the characters from the play, I had to jump on it and see if it still called out the same emotions. I was not disapointed and still feel the power, rage and sorrow when I watch it each time. A must see m... read moreovie. A must see play.
  • fulloffireministries
    March 29, 2007
    fulloffireministries
    goldberg was awesome in this...i really never seen her play a role like this before..and since u know i love musicals and i love africa....i was overtaken!
  • angel4nature
    August 22, 2006
    angel4nature
    To really see what oppression looks like is amazing this movie made me take more charge in my own life and take the time to help others

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Critic Reviews

Bob Bloom
September 21, 2004
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

A rather bloody musical that captures the horror that was apartheid.

Ken Hanke
July 16, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

It just doesn't work.

February 23, 2012
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Todd McCarthy
March 26, 2009
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

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Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

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Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

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Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

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Emanuel Levy
July 18, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Daniel M. Kimmel
December 7, 2004
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

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