Indiana University Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony Film Report

Post ID: 1234932

Overview

Film Paper: Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony

Access to film: Amazon prime, iTunes

At one point during the film Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony, several musicians and activists are seen discussing the role that music had in the eventual dissolution of Apartheid in South Africa. Some argue that the popular music was an outgrowth of the resistance movement against Apartheid. In other words, much of the music that is heard during this film would not have come to be had it not been for the growing discontent that indigenous black South Africans experienced between 1948 and 1990. Others disagree, and suggest that if it weren’t for the importance that music has in African societies to begin with, that a resistance movement would not have been possible.

The debate discussed in the film prompts the following question for you to consider in this paper: Whose position do you agree with most and why?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. In fact, this is something that South African musicians and activists continue to debate. We are interested in reading your thoughts on the matter and seeing how you relate the material in the film with material we have been covering in class in order to explain and support your opinion.

Your answer must be presented as a well-reasoned and clearly supported argument that addresses the following areas:

Introduction (5 pts.): Your introduction should provide a brief explanation of how you understand the question above. Make sure you point to the main issues that you will discuss.
Background on the Apartheid System (15 pts.):
- What was Apartheid?
- When was it formed and by whom?
- What was its purpose?
- Give TWO examples of how the Apartheid system affected the lives of indigenous black South Africans.
- Cite at least one source from this resource page, click here (Links to an external site.).
Role of Music in the Resistant Movement (20 pts.):
- What are some of the ways in which black South Africans used music as a form of resistance to the Apartheid system?
- Be sure to provide TWO specific examples from the film.
Musical Description (15 pts.): Making use of specific examples from the film:
- Discuss the features of THREE songs that were performed in the documentary:
  - Provide the title and time stamp in the documentary of each song referenced.
  - Describe the vocal melodic textures using musical terms (monophony, heterophony, etc.).
  - Describe instrument names or classification (piano, drum set, body percussion, etc.).
  - Describe the song form (solo, call and response, chant, etc.).
Similarities to Other Types of Protest Music (30 pts.): Using outside academic resources from the library, provide a short reflection on the question:
- How do you compare the type of music featured in the film to other types of protest music that you may be acquainted with? What are the similarities?
- Be sure to describe the issue the music was meant to protest.
- You are expected to use conventional citation of the sources you reference. For the format, please consult the Chicago Manual of Style (Links to an external site.).
Conclusions (10 pts.): Summing up everything that you have discussed above, did music grow out of the larger resistance movement against Apartheid or was music the catalyst that made resistance possible in the first place?
Format (5 pts.): You should strive for a clear and straight-forward narrative style that uses the film, class lectures and readings as your primary source of information. You may bring other references to support a particular point that you are making, provided that these are properly referenced and cited.  This essay should be
- Double-spaced
- Black, size 12 font
- 1 inch margins
- 1500-1800 words in length.
The paper should be uploaded in either .doc or .docx format (Microsoft Word). If you are using a Mac, make sure that one of those file extensions is added at the end of your document.

HELLO THERE, THIS IS MY FILM PAPER DUE IN 5 DAYS. IF ALL DIRECTIONS ARE FOLLOWED, THIS WOULD BE A VERY EASY ASSIGNMENT TO ACE. IF YOU NEED TO PURCHASE THE MOVIE (via Amazon Prime, iTunes, etc.) I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY YO COMPENSATE YOU HOWEVER MUCH THE MOVIE COST TO RENT. THANK YOU, I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING BUSINESS WITH YOU. PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT 1-(201)-953-5532. IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL OF THESE DIRECTIONS ARE FOLLOWED SO PLEASE REREAD THEM IFD NECESSARY.