Africa United (2011)

I can see why Africa United would appeal to children, especially those who have never set foot in Africa. But for anyone over the age of 14, or with the slightest experience of the continent being depicted, I would advise them to avoid this cartoon of a film.The acting is forced, rigid, and in many places just irritating. The same can be said for the storyline. Cheap attempts to popularise the characters using witty retorts or stoicism only rendered them devoid of credibility. The characters' perfect diction and rehearsed theatrics killed off any hope of believing in them as people, or issues, or even Africans.The narrative develops by layer upon layer of predictable clichés - warlords, HIV/AIDS, rude immigration officials, and of course football - interspersed with cheesy triumphalism (i.e. kids beating the baddies) that destroyed any sense of realism about the plight of disadvantaged African youths.Picturesque countrysides, attractive smiling faces and brightly coloured markets were aplenty, so at least the camera work brought life to an otherwise moribund story. The only other redeeming features were the soundtrack and its 88 minutes runtime. 'Extraordinary story' this was not.As noted elsewhere, 'One day a filmmaker will just let us be 'people' - not victims, clowns or the underdogs always searching for more than we have'.This was more 'Sentimentalism United' than any story about football or Africa, as it could and should have been. A great opportunity missed.

To me Africa United is a good and funny film, in spite of the hard topics of horror and terror in Africa. It made me smile and laugh, especially Dudu. It's a fresh film, with a lot of energy and adventure. It offers a good vision of friendship. It's very entertaining and the soundtrack is brilliant and cool, it made me sing! A lot of different feelings and emotions are in this film, so it's very poignant. And there is a very good cast with young but good and professionals actors. But, it's not the film of the year, because the story is a little bit thin, it's more for children. But, if you want to spend good time... GO AND SEE IT!

This is not a blockbuster film with a mega publicity budget, but what attracted me to such an independent work was that the writer Rhidian Brook is the son of a colleague of mine on the UK's Communications Consumer Panel. I'm pleased that I made the effort to see the movie because it is original in subject matter and talent and refreshing in both content and delivery.Everything about it is different from the usual Hollywood fare. The British director Debs Gardner-Paterson is fourth- generation Rwandan, all the central roles are taken by African children, and all the wonderful locations are in Africa.Essentially it is a road movie with a bunch of kids determined to travel from Rwanda to South Africa in order to be at the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup. Although there is sharp dialogue and much humour, serious issues are touched upon, ranging from child soldiers to HIV/AIDS.

I spent the first twenty years of my life in Burundi and sincerely hope the British cinema audience do not believe this saccharine-soaked film represents Africa's proud and brave heart.The director of this film is quick to claim her heritage as 'fourth-generation Rwandan' but genetics alone cannot imbue a heart with African spirit. She still views our culture through British eyes and standards, still feels pity in the perceived unfavourable comparisons. One day a filmmaker will just let us be 'people' - not victims, clowns or the underdogs always searching for more than we have.However, I do agree that the soundtrack was brilliant. Full of authentic energy and life. I am still singing its songs now, but trying to erase the images they accompanied.