Come Back, Africa

Watch Come Back, Africa

  • 1959
  • 1 hr 23 min
  • 7.1  (351)

Come Back, Africa is a 1959 independent film directed by American filmmaker Lionel Rogosin. The movie mainly revolves around the life of Zacharia Mgabi (played by Zacharia Mgabi), a young black South African who leaves his rural home to seek work and better opportunities in Johannesburg. The film opens with a montage of African faces, voices and landscapes, setting the tone for the unfolding story. Zacharia arrives in the urban metropolis of Johannesburg, where he finds shelter in a crowded hostel for black migrant workers. The conditions in the hostel are deplorable, with poorly matted beds and a lack of privacy. Zacharia quickly realizes that Johannesburg is not the land of milk and honey he envisioned, but rather an oppressive society where blacks are systematically oppressed and relegated to menial jobs.

Despite the challenges he faces, Zacharia remains determined to improve his situation. He finds work as a waiter in a restaurant frequented by white customers, but even there he is not free from discrimination. The manager is quick to remind Zacharia of his subordinate status and the need to behave subserviently around white customers. Nevertheless, Zacharia is grateful for the job, as it helps him to send money back to his family in the countryside.

The film masterfully captures the socio-economic realities of apartheid-era South Africa. Black people were systematically excluded from most economic sectors and relegated to low-skilled jobs with poor pay and few benefits. Moreover, they were forced to carry passbooks that restricted their movement and validated their inferiority. The film also shows the brutal tactics employed by the government to maintain white supremacy, including police brutality and intimidation.

One of the enduring themes of the movie is the resilience and determination of black South Africans in the face of oppressive conditions. Despite the odds, many black people refused to surrender to hopelessness and instead found creative ways to resist apartheid. This includes the vibrant jazz scene in townships like Sophiatown, where black musicians; including Miriam Makeba, who plays the character of a nightclub singer in the film used music to express their desire for freedom.

While the story is centered around Zacharia, the film does not treat the character as a monolithic representation of a black South African. Instead, it portrays Zacharia as a complex individual with a rich inner life. This is made evident by the way he interacts with other characters, such as Vinah Bendile, a spunky street vendor who becomes his romantic interest.

The director uses a mix of documentary and fictional narrative techniques to bring the story to life. The scenes in the hostel, workplace, and nightclub have a gritty realism to them, which at times feels like a documentary. But the film also weaves in fictional elements that serve to deepen the character's personalities and provide context to their actions.

In conclusion, Come Back, Africa is an important movie that captures the bleak realities of apartheid-era South Africa. With strong performances from the ensemble cast, including the legendary Miriam Makeba, the film immerses the viewer in the lived experiences of black South Africans under an oppressive regime. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit under difficult conditions and a homage to the ongoing struggle for social justice.

Come Back, Africa is a 1959 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.

Come Back, Africa
Description
Where to Watch Come Back, Africa
Come Back, Africa is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime and Amazon. Some platforms allow you to rent Come Back, Africa for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1959
  • Runtime
    1 hr 23 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.1  (351)
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