Sarafina (1992)
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50% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
82% of users liked it
(6,140 ratings)
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 musical, which ran on Broadway from 1988 to 1989, Sarafina! recounts the political coming of age of… More 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 musical, 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
- Directed By
- Darrel James Roodt, Darrell Roodt
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Art House & International
- In Theaters
- Sep 18, 1992 Wide
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
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Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A rather bloody musical that captures the horror that was apartheid.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It just doesn't work.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Leleti Khumalo
as Sarafina
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Whoopi Goldberg
as Mary Masembuko
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Miriam Makeba
as Angelina
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John Kani
as School Principal
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Mbongeni Ngema
as Sabela
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Mate Bashe
as Teacher
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Michele Bestbier
as Mrs. Hendriks
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Ishamel Boikanyo
as 2nd Prison Guard
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Gideon de Wet
as 2nd Policeman
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Thulani Didi
as Crocodile Gang Member
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Sbongile Dingatha
as Woman Shopper
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Dumisani Dlamini
as Crocodile Gang Member
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Gugwana Dlamini
as Sarafina's Friend
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Vukani "Marko" Dlamini
as Crocodile Gang Member
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Bafana Hendriks
as Jabu
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Mfana "Jones" Hlope
as 5th Testimony/Crocodile Gang Member
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Faca Kulu
as Eddie
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Sipho Kunene
as Guitar
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Dipuo Lehlongwa
as 4th Testimony/Sarafina's Friend
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Dixon Malele
as Shebeen Drinker
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David Manqele
as Preacher
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Khanyo Maphumulo
as 2nd Testimony
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Billy Mashigo
as Shebeen Drinker
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Tertius Meintjes
as Lieutenant Bloem
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Batho Mhlongo
as Sarafina's Friend
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Somizi "Whacko" Mhlongo
as Fire
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Bheki Mqadi
as Moses
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Princess Msala
as Teacher
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Wendy Mseleku
as China
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Velaphi Msini
as Teacher
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James Mthoba
as Sarafina's Uncle
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Olga Mvicane
as Woman Shopper
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Patrick Ndlovu
as Victor Gumede
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Sam Ngakane
as Guitar's Father
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Siphamandla Ngcamu
as 1st Testimony/Crocodile Gang Member
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Siya Ngcobe
as Sarafina's Brother
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Nhlanhla Ngema
as Stimela
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Sibusiso Ngema
as Funeral Leader
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Vincent Ngobese
as Crocodile Gang Member
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Ayanda Nhlangothi
as Thuleni
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Congo Radebe
as Silence
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Nicky Rebelo
as 1st Soldier
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Zanele Sangweni
as Lindiwe
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Louis Seboko
as Joe Masembuko
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Eric Seema
as Shebeen Drinker
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Doris Sehula
as Woman Shopper
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Khululiwe Sithole
as Sarafina's Friend
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Dominic Skosana
as 1st Prison Guard
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Mary Twala
as Sarafina's Grandmother
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Robert Whithead
as Interrogator
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James Whyle
as 2nd Soldier
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Pheto Wildeman
as Nhlanhla
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Greg Latter
as 1st Policeman
- Robert Whitehead