SINGING FOR LIFE
Director Barbara Weissenbeck
Countries Austria
Duration 51 min
Synopsis
Just in the deep south of South Africa of all places, the opera, this old-fashioned European art form that is in danger of becoming extinct, is a very vibrant affair that brings people together who would normally never come in contact with one another and gives some of the poorest inhabitants of Cape Town hope for a better life. This film tells the story of a year in the lives of three opera singers in Cape Town: Fikile, who, as a child moved from the countryside to the townships of Cape Town, and whose singing talent was then discovered there – who, despite a very late stage debut is going to make it to the Olympics of the opera world – the New York Met. An unbelievable career jump. Thamsanqa, an 18 year old singing talent at the beginning of his career, who lives in a modest tin hut in the townships and struggles every day to support his family. An opera audition could be the solution to some of his problems. It could even mean his dream of a career as an opera singer coming true. Mandelakhe, an only 16 year old girl with a voice like a yet unpolished diamond. She has been born and grew up in the townships of Cape Town. Her neighbours in the township call her “Carmen” because they hear her all the day singing at home while she’s cleaning and cooking. She is still singing just in her school’s choir as a soloist, but her big dream is becoming a great opera singer so she can then offer a better and safer life to her family. The film accompanies these three protagonists during their daily lives and portrays how music and their careers as singers influences their lives and the lives of their families. It gives them hope and new perspectives for their home country of South Africa. Still every evening after the show they return back home into the townships of Cape Town. A balancing act between the glory on stage and the difficult everyday life in South Africa A film about the power of music that raises hope and visions. About courageous voices crossing borders and about cheerful people - the singing superstars of life.
Just in the deep south of South Africa of all places, the opera, this old-fashioned European art form that is in danger of becoming extinct, is a very vibrant affair that brings people together who would normally never come in contact with one another and gives some of the poorest inhabitants of Cape Town hope for a better life. This film tells the story of a year in the lives of three opera singers in Cape Town: Fikile, who, as a child moved from the countryside to the townships of Cape Town, and whose singing talent was then discovered there – who, despite a very late stage debut is going to make it to the Olympics of the opera world – the New York Met. An unbelievable career jump. Thamsanqa, an 18 year old singing talent at the beginning of his career, who lives in a modest tin hut in the townships and struggles every day to support his family. An opera audition could be the solution to some of his problems. It could even mean his dream of a career as an opera singer coming true. Mandelakhe, an only 16 year old girl with a voice like a yet unpolished diamond. She has been born and grew up in the townships of Cape Town. Her neighbours in the township call her “Carmen” because they hear her all the day singing at home while she’s cleaning and cooking. She is still singing just in her school’s choir as a soloist, but her big dream is becoming a great opera singer so she can then offer a better and safer life to her family. The film accompanies these three protagonists during their daily lives and portrays how music and their careers as singers influences their lives and the lives of their families. It gives them hope and new perspectives for their home country of South Africa. Still every evening after the show they return back home into the townships of Cape Town. A balancing act between the glory on stage and the difficult everyday life in South Africa A film about the power of music that raises hope and visions. About courageous voices crossing borders and about cheerful people - the singing superstars of life.