User reviews

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!

Africa United is a joyful, winning film that manages to entertain (people were laughing and crying in the theatre) whilst raising serious issues with a light, humorous touch. It's weaknesses (a slight amateurish quality and hurried pace) are more than balanced by its strengths. It looks and sounds authentically African and what it lacks in sophistication it makes up for with wit, charm and emotion. The slight madcap style is enhanced by the story within the story and a terrific soundtrack. In the end it gives a voice to young, black Africans and shows us an Africa few will ever get to see. It's being called the Africa Slumdog; but whilst it may not have the slick bravura of that film, it has more heart, humour and maybe integrity.

Thoroughly enjoyed the development of the children's characters, which at first was slow but well worth the wait. This film is a fantastic journey through some serious issues that should not have to be tackled by those so young and ended up being a well balanced, emotionally engaging, film.

The world inside Dudu's head was also a highlight and credit must go to Directors Debs Gardner-Paterson and Simon Willows for being so thorough in their research on how this might play out. Brilliant! All that and more plus the fact that this film was made on less money than I pay in rent in a year (well… almost), makes it even more satisfying.

I will go again and not hesitate to recommend it to others.

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.

I loved every minute of this fantastic film! It is packed full of energy, passion and adventure brought together by an inspiring young cast and brilliant soundtrack.

As a former resident of Kigali and visitor to many of the places on route, I enjoyed the beautifully shot footage of stunning Africa and felt transported back to the energy of the places I visited and people I met.

The child actors were excellent, telling big stories with a striking honesty and simplicity. I laughed out loud at Dudu's one liners and wiped away a tear as George's story unfolded. A truly brilliant movie and one I will be talking about for a long time to come. My nephews will love it and my friends will love it, it is a film that spans the generations and offers something fun, engaging and insightful for everyone.

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.

Africa United is a fantastic film that all ages will enjoy. It doesn't shy away from tackling some of the real issues that face the continent, but encapsulates it in a terrific story with great humour (some real laugh out loud moments) and brilliant soundtrack. It not only provides for an excellent and entertaining film but the creativity of the direction and production really makes these issues accessible particularly to a younger audience. The film has received amazing receptions at both the Toronto and BFI film festivals and has been getting great press in the UK as it hits the screens this weekend. In my view it's thoroughly deserved as is its comparisons as the African Slumdog. I'm certainly encouraging everyone I know to go see this great film and hope you will too.

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.

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

This small, independent piece aimed for family viewing is quite ambitious in it's own little way, a familiar tale of underdogs with an impossible dream chasing it no matter what circumstances set against the backdrop of one of Africa's smallest countries. It's certainly a very spirited romp, with enough dash and colour in it to make it stand out, and not afraid to tackle some darker areas while it's at it. Somehow, at just under an hour and a half, it still somehow fails to hold together and really come into one as a story, but you can't fault the good intentions behind it and you could see far worse stuff like it. **

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of 'Africa United'. Full of energy, humour, colour, passion - it kept me hooked from start to finish. I laughed many times, and ended with a slightly moist eye that I had to hastily conceal from my partner sitting next to me.

The film received a 5-minute standing ovation at the end.

I think first and foremost this is a family film. It's not a forensic study of Africa's social or political problems, nor is it a realistic portrayal of the everyday lives of ordinary Africans. Critics complaining about this seem to have missed the point.

It's a road movie about the passion and courage of young people. It's magical, like a fairy story. The fact that it's set in Africa enriches this sense of magic - and offers interesting opportunities to explore difficult issues in the context of a family movie. But it's not a commentary on Africa - it's about a group of young people who do something extraordinary in an extraordinary place.

The fact that it breaks film-making barriers in Africa (first feature to be filmed in Burundi etc), but keeps its focus firmly on drama and adventure rather than social commentary makes it a very unique 'African' film.

I will certainly watch again because it made me laugh and cry. And surely that's enough for any film, irrespective of where it's set.

With a caste of brilliant young actors, this movie manages to walk the incredibly difficult tightrope between hopeless grim reality of life for many in Africa and the superficial heartwarming scenes of kids overcoming hardships.

The rhythm of the movie is perfect and the child's voice is authentically maintained.

I saw this at TIFF with 8 and 13 year old boys and 10 and 13 year old girls. They all loved it and want to see it again. The older crowd was equally enthusiastic.

This movie deserves the widest possible distribution. If I was still teaching high school, I would find an excuse to show it to everyone of my classes and try to get a screening for the whole school.

We all remember the World Cup last year in South Africa. A colourful , noisy event that promised so much but turned out to be a damp squib. That description pretty much sums up Africa United. This film looks great and promises to be a good road movie but it washed over me. It's a film that has far to many stereotype's and is sugar coated to the extent that strangely i wanted to see some real hardship and suffering or even some humour - Vital ingredients in a road movie. - Not a Chance in Africa United. One plus point is the acting of Eriya Ndayambaje who plays Dudu. he certainly has a future in the business. as for the rest I'm not so sure. Disappointing.

I finally got to see this film on DVD last night, and i absolutely enjoyed it very much. It is about three Rwandan children who plan to walk 3000 miles to be able to be at the World Cup in South Africa. I found the scenery throughout the film to be really amazing to watch. I thought the kids acting in the film to be so good. The friends are a talented teenage footballer called Fabrice, Dudu who is a shanty dweller and Dudu's younger sister Beatrice who i thought were fantastic actors. They are making their way to hopefully get to a Pre World Cup trial for Dudu friend Fabrice in Kigali, They end up getting the wrong bus, so they must find a way to get to the World Cup in South Africa. On their way they meet an escaped child terrorist called George and also a waitress called Celeste who is being held captive. They both decide to join the others on the long trip ahead. I really loved the African music which was playing throughout the film which gave the film a great atmosphere. I found it to be a very enjoyable movie with some good laughs along the way: 8/10

Went to today's screening with high hopes but left sorely disappointed. A thin story lost under weak direction, with no discernible artistic merit beyond Blink's visual bells and whistles utilised to mask the patronising social message. Africa United seems so earnest in its desire to show us where we're going wrong that it forgets we'd also like to be entertained for our money. The film pounds at your guilt buttons with the subtlety of those TV adverts for donkey sanctuaries. In comparison I now almost look forward to the cheery stance of the charity muggers on Carnaby Street.

If this had been a documentary it might have fared better. But please leave the artistic endeavours to those with more insistence on refreshing creativity.

(But a gorgeous and relevant soundtrack by Bernie Gardner! The film's one saving grace.)

Great film, full of energy and colour from the start. Very unusual, not like other films, seems not to be in a mould. Great values of loyalty, friendship and courage in the context of horror and terror. The reality of life in the midst of warfare and corruption was very evident and yet the humour and the warmth made it entertaining and credible. It is the kind of film which children can enjoy because the story is simple and clear and yet there are depths which are profoundly moving for those capable of maturer insights. It is a good antidote to the slick and formulaic films around at the moment. It has heart, it is insightful and manages to be highly entertaining for all ages. Well done on a small budget.

I think it's a well made film because this film is for families and for all ages, the soundtrack is gorgeous and brilliant, it's entertaining. In spite of the actors are not really actors, but it is not really important. The film is fantastic, full of energy, passion, adventure, courage, humour, amazing, awesome. I laughed much during the film. The film offers something fun and offers food for thought. This film shows reality in Africa because people do not have money to make houses or a ball to play football. For a moment I think I cried because the end of the film is sad.

Go see the film, it's really interesting and entertaining !

I was totally charming by the film Africa United! Sunny, comical, hopeful, amazing entertaining... it's a very unusual film. I loved the soundtrack, the young characters are positive and emotional... In spite of a small budget and young actors, the director made an excellent film, fresh and full of optimism. Delightful !

I was touched by all the characters; each one having a particular talent, a unique character, a personal "joie de vivre" ! Personally, I think that they represent hope for many children in Africa ! Dudu was brilliant; he made me laugh until I cried...

So I encourage people to see this film now, IT'S A GEM !!

Africa united is a truly awesome, wonderful, brilliant, smart and funny film! It's a family adventure movie, because it's great for all ages, full of authentic energy, life and colour from the start. The film is well worth watching, all spectators laugh during the screening. Although at the end we want to cry, we smile. It's an enthralling movie. The cast is good with fabulous young actors. It's always delightful to see a film with child actors. It isn't based on a true-to-life story but it's heart- breaking. In the script, the film director has raised serious problems in Africa, but with a humorous touch.

In my view, Africa United is a brilliant movie, it remains a smart film for all ages. Well done on a small budget!!! I'm encouraging everyone to see this film.

I think Afica United is worth a watch. It's a story of brotherhood and fraternity with ingenuity and solidarity. The rhythm is too fast but there is a gorgeous soundtrack. The film is well done with a young cast who makes the difference, it is not in a mould, it's unique. The characters are in the midst of reality but full of optimism. The only problem is the end of the movie: very mysterious.

I wanted to know what happened, that's why I put nine of ten stars but, it's a must-see.I recommend it, it's a great family adventure for all ages.

Go and see it.