In a place without hope, the walls will come down and their voices will be heard.
AFI AWARD WINNER 2009
South Africa in 1994 was in the grip of massive social change. The transition from dictatorship to democracy also ushered in a massive crime wave that rocked the country. The Choir explores the consequences of this social upheaval in the struggle for humanity and redemption through music in South Africa’s biggest prison.
Shot over six years by Emmy award winning Australian filmmaker Michael Davie, the story follows a group of inmates – led by wily ex-bank robber Coleman – finding strength in the community of the prison choir. Coleman takes under his wing a rebellious and angry young prisoner, Jabulani Shabangu whose eventual release back onto the streets of Johannesburg is fraught with poverty and despair before his returned to prison.
Under the tough love of the choirmaster, Jabulani learns to respect others and behave with discipline. Mirroring their homeland’s struggle to deal with the past and forge a new identity, The Choir is testament to the power of music and self-belief.
"As we watch scarred faces mouth the words of a song and the magic of blended voices gives life to hope, we can see what the filmmakers have done: they've captured the essence of hope which gives human nature its unique place in nature... Truly a life changing film." Andrew L Urban, Urban Cinefile
"I was moved to tears by this wonderful film that is simultaneously tragic and uplifting, while the beauty of the natural voices that harmonise intuitively lifts our spirits into a higher realm." Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile
"Paradoxical images of hardened criminals with voices like angels are uplifting from the outset, but Zimbabwe-born helmer, Michael Davie transcends feel-good shortcuts to unblinkingly explore convicts' lives...[A] soulful but rigorously tough documentary." Russell Edwards, Variety
"Sometimes amongst true horror, something incongruously beautiful can emerge and actually thrive. That unusual fact has perhaps never been more depicted with such stunning clarity as in the deeply moving and enjoyably unsentimentalised documentary The Choir… As thrilling as it is emotionally engaging. This is a special film indeed: don’t miss it." Erin Free, Filmink
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