Soka Afrika (2011) User Reviews

Great Africa Doc

[mattgregster · 9/10 · 19 January 2013]

Amazing Doc!

Saw this in Amsterdam and knew it was a special film!

I hope it gets a wide release because this is an independent film with heart.

I love football but even my girlfriend who hates it was gripped by the story and was shocked and amazed, its about Africa not football or footballers.

Unbelievable stories and great characters, with great music and shot in an impressive way.

So many countries involved but still a strong style and feel.

Two thumbs up!

Soka afrika review

[laurakeidel · 9/10 · 17 October 2010]

I just attended the first soka afrika screening in joburg oct 2010 and was very impressed! The narrative is incredible, heartbreaking and illuminating. The characters are amazing, the visuals stunningly beautiful and the access second to none. I hate soccer yet really enjoyed seeing an intimate insight into the trials and tribulations of a young aspiring African footballer. Much better than Africa utd, this is not fiction it is reality, a great documentary! The juxtaposition of "right" and "wrong paths to footballing success can be seen in the context of the west's attitude towards Africa and serves to demonstrate that there is still a great deal of exploitation when it comes to African natural resources, whether diamonds or footballers. Look out for this one it's going to do very well in 2010! A must see particularly for doc lovers and those interested in the real Africa.

Really powerful Africa doc!

[jakespires · 9/10 · 23 January 2013]

We saw this in NYC at the Kicking and Screening Festival where it actually won Best film and in my opinion was head and shoulders above all the other films in competition.

It is beautifully shot and the soundtrack is awesome but most importantly it is a subject no one knows about and the characters are very sympathetic.

It is shocking and powerful but not preachy or finger pointing.

It shows the reality of what can and go on with young kids who want to make it in soccer and get out of Africa.

I think what is very clever is how the stories crisscross and how they contrast beautiful looking Africa with ugly cold Europe, where all these kids think is the promised land.

Important message seems to be that kids should play for a local team and only go abroad if everything is legitimate.

If you like soccer or even if you don't but are just interested in Africa, this film is a must see!

Also producers spoke afterwards and were very interesting, for an independent film it is very impressive!

Beautiful Film

[asmirabaffour · 10/10 · 20 January 2013]

This was really a beautiful, painful, emotional but real film!

I managed to get a ticket in Manhattan, New York because my friend knew the festival and lived next door to the Tribeca Cinemas.

I was really so happy to see this film.

I don not like football at all but my cousins all tried to play for the Black Stars in Ghana!

1 of my friends he was in this film! He plays for Ghana for football. Also my other friend, the same thing happened to him, with bad agents and people lying to take his money!

I was very happy to see this film about Africa in new york and think that this should be in the cinemas in small towns in Ghana and Africa to show the young boys.

I enjoyed all the "characters" but was impressed by the style of film and the way they get so close and show you what is REALLY happening!

I am going to buy on DVD and post on my blog also!

I give to it 10

Amazing Doc!

[robertomickini · 9/10 · 18 January 2013]

I first caught news about this in 2011, but saw it in NYC at a "football film" Festival where it won the best picture prize.

Soka Afrika is a hugely powerful film, beautifully shot with an amazing original soundtrack including tracks by MRR & ADM, Mulatu Astatke and the Heliocentrics, Kid Kanevil and many others!

The film itself is a poignant look at the difficulties aspiring African footballers have in moving to Europe. It involves football but is truly an impressive human experience piece, that uncovers a lot of the deep economic problems and remaining colonial views that inform the modern day relationship between Africa and the rest of the world.

The Characters are very sympathetic and the story is gripping and unexpected!

I have since seen a shorter TV version on Al Jazeera but am keenly waiting for the full length DVD release which have been rumoured for a while.

A true must-see film for anyone interested in Documentary film, independent film and quite simply good film!

Wonderful

[koloayew · 10/10 · 20 January 2013]

I watched in class in Cameroon for the Africa World Cinema Festival!

It was so much a great film and we all liked too much!

We all like football and want to play for Barcelona but this film shows very difficult but you must work hard and have faith in God and sometimes stay in Africa and fight for your dream!

I luv this guy Kermit and also the guy Ndomo is so strong.

I think the french man is doing something really very special for these children!

I hope to make a film like this one

I would give 11/10 ;)

Very Interesting Documentary

[caratool · 8/10 · 23 January 2013]

I had heard a lot about this film from independent film sources and managed to catch it in a small cinema on its German debut in Berlin last year.

I walked in almost by accident but was really happy I did, because the film touched me quite deeply.

I had never heard about what happens to these poor kids and think the film has an important message to educate people.

It is also not a thing that happens only in Africa, but also in Mexico, Latin America and even the USA!

My brother was approached by a fake agent here in LA, but when he asked us for money my father said no! It was hard for our family and my brother but we think it was the right thing to do, and after seeing this film we were certain!

Even though the subject matter is not directly something I would choose, once sitting at the titles it was absorbing, exciting and very interesting!

I would suggest anyone who likes human experience documentaries should see this film!

Very Powerful film, important message

[Dgmagic75 · 10/10 · 25 January 2013]

I cant recommend this film enough!

It shows the reality of what happens to a lot of aspiring African kids and how nefarious middle men can crush their dreams.

I know it played in NYC and there were rumours that it would be on TV here in the USA but so far nothing...

I hope independent films like this are given a chance... this is not just a "African" or "European" thing it is worldwide and quite shocking.

The doc is shot beautifully with a great soundtrack and the narrative and characters are spot on!

Check this film out if you get a chance - even in a small cinema, you wont regret it!

watch this Africans!

[dennischeru · 10/10 · 2 July 2013]

My favourite film about sport and Africa! I never knew that trafficking in football exists....

We need to help young africans avoid this type of abuse! Very impressive documentary!

That guy Kermit is going to be a rally big player for Africa I hope.

Great soundtrack.

Great to hear Heliocentrics in a feature film.

First program I have seen with a corrupt agent admitting what he does.

Also amazing work by Foot Solidaire.

We must open our eyes and help ourselves in Africa.

A must-watch! Why do FIFA do nothing to help?