Watch When Voices Meet

When Voices Meet is a documentary film directed by Ani Zonneveld that follows the journey of South African musicians Sharon Katz and her bandmates as they navigate the complexities of apartheid and racial tension in South Africa in the 1990s. At the time, South Africa was in the midst of political turmoil as the government enforced a system of racial segregation known as apartheid. Black and white people were not allowed to attend the same schools, live in the same neighborhoods, or even use the same public restrooms. The country was deeply divided, and racial tensions were high.

Against this backdrop, Sharon Katz comes up with a radical idea: to bring together musicians from different races and ethnicities and form a multiracial band. The idea is to show that people of different races can not only work together but also create something beautiful together.

The documentary begins by showing Katz and her team as they embark on a tour across South Africa, performing for a diverse range of audiences. They travel from town to town, bringing their music to people who have been impacted by apartheid in different ways.

Along the way, we hear from some of the members of the band, who share their personal stories about growing up in South Africa and dealing with racism. Katz herself is a white Jewish woman, and she reflects on her own privilege and how it has affected her understanding of the world.

As the tour continues, the band encounters various obstacles. They are forced to confront their own prejudices and biases, and they face opposition from some quarters who are skeptical of their message of unity and reconciliation.

Despite these challenges, the band perseveres, and they eventually embark on a journey to the United States. There, they continue to spread their message of hope and unity, performing at various venues across the country.

Throughout the documentary, we see how music has the power to bring people together and transcend barriers of race and ethnicity. When Voices Meet is a poignant and inspiring story about the human capacity for compassion and understanding, even in the face of great adversity.

The film is anchored by powerful performances from Katz and her bandmates, who bring a level of energy and passion to their music that is infectious. John Kani, who plays a supporting role, also delivers a moving performance as a South African activist who provides context and commentary on the political situation in the country at the time.

The documentary is expertly shot, with beautiful scenes of South Africa's landscapes and cities. The filmmakers use archival footage to great effect, blending it seamlessly into the narrative to provide historical context.

When Voices Meet is a powerful and moving film that document's South Africa's journey from apartheid to democracy. It is a reminder of the importance of music as a tool for social change and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

When Voices Meet is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes.