The Ancestors

93 mins
This film follows John Kitime, a Tanzanian musician now in his 60s, as he sets out on a mission to put together an all-star band from the old days to revive the classic sound of Zilipendwa music. Along the way, he meets the people who played key roles in the music scene of Tanzania during the struggle for independence and the nation's formative years under the first president, Julius K. Nyerere. As Kitime plays with the band, spends time with musicians and digitizes reel-to-reel tapes from the 1960s and '70s, he reveals a fascinating and little-known story about the power of music to bring together a people and a nation.

Amil Shivji

Director

Rebecca Corey

Co-Producer

Amil Shivji

Co-Producer

Nicholas Calvin

Cinematography

Rebecca Corey

Cinematography

Amil Shivji

Cinematography

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