Imba Means Sing

Imba Means Sing is an awe-inspiring documentary about the African Children’s Choir, including intimate and raw accounts from the children themselves that tug at the heartstrings and opens a window into a myriad of cultures. Released in 2015, the film combines the beauty of African music with an unprecedented look at the poverty-torn African region and the social implications it has on children's lives.

The film primarily follows the journeys of Angel, Moses, and Nina. Angel, a 7-year-old girl from poverty-stricken Uganda, is particularly compelling as she imagines a life beyond hardship, hoping her involvement in the choir will help her secure a better future. Moses, an 8-year-old orphan, aspires to become the president of Uganda, displaying an optimism and ambition that persist through adversity. Lastly, Nina, a 9-year-old from the war-torn country of Sudan, introduces us to the realities of displacement and the tenacity to survive against all odds. All these children are bound by a shared vision for personal success and a better future for their communities, which is profoundly significant.

The African Children’s Choir, the backdrop to these three narratives, has been enabling children from some of the most destitute situations in Africa to tour the world as representatives of millions of kids like them. This world-renowned organization prides itself in providing these children with exposure to various international cultures, educational opportunities, and a chance to discover their inborn potential. Music and singing, which plays a central role in the film, functions as a form of therapeutic healing for these multitude of childhood traumas while fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie in the choir.

The cinematography in Imba Means Sing is breathtaking, vividly capturing the natural beauty of the African landscape and the vibrant cultures of Uganda and Sudan. This visual feast is studded with intimate and charming encounters that the children have with the world beyond their villages. Their purity, innocence, and infectious enthusiasm are captured beautifully in each frame, providing a stark contrast to their harsh living conditions back home. The film compels the audience to reflect on the stark disparity existing in the world and nudges them towards empathy and understanding.

Yet, this film is not just a collection of melancholic stories. Instead, it triumphs as a heartwarming testament to human resilience, determination, and beauty found in the least likely of places. What stands out is the significant role education plays, celebrated as the only potent tool that can break the vicious cycle of poverty and disenfranchisement. The film, therefore, is also a rallying cry for access to quality education for all children, irrespective of their social and economic backgrounds.

Inspired by true stories and real-life events, Imba Means Sing is more than just a music documentary. It encompasses a multitude of social and human aspects, revealing the bigger picture in stirring and thought-provoking ways. The talented trio, Angel, Moses, and Nina, exhibit remarkable courage and willpower and remain unforgettable throughout the film, giving the audience a real sense of the pivotal role that organisations like the African Children's Choir play in transforming the lives of these children. Their struggles, dreams, and hopes are sure to motivate and move viewers worldwide.

It's clear that viewings of the documentary are not meant to simply entertain; they are meant to inspire change and advocate for the African Children’s Choir and its mission. By viewing the film, audiences aren't just witnesses to the remarkable journeys of these African children but also become part of a solution to a critical global issue by supporting the choir and education through their attention, awareness, and resources.

Directed by Danielle Bernstein and produced by Erin S. Bernhardt, Imba Means Sing is a shining example of the power of optimism and the human spirit’s resilience. It reminds us of the importance of equal opportunities, the transformative power of education, and music as a universal language. The documentary stands as a universal message of hope, resilience, and the unparalleled power of song and determination, making it a must-watch for audiences who appreciate thought-provoking and inspiring real-life stories.