John Legend to Portray Harry Belafonte in New Film
The singer will star as the activist and entertainer in the apartheid-era drama 'The Road Home', currently filming in South Africa.
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Singer John Legend, aged 47, is cast as Harry Belafonte in the film 'The Road Home'. The production is set during the apartheid era and focuses on the experiences of South African jazz musicians Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. Filming is currently in progress in South Africa.
Film Narrative and Cast
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Directed by Academy Award winner Bill Condon, 'The Road Home' follows Masekela and Makeba's involvement with Paul Simon's 'Graceland' album and tour. The film's synopsis details Masekela's exile from South Africa and his collaboration with Makeba to form a band that aimed to bring the nation's voice to a global audience amidst a cultural boycott. The script was developed by Michael Bronner and South African writer Zakes Mda, with music producer Hilton Rosenthal overseeing new recordings from Masekela and Makeba's catalogue.
Legend will appear alongside actors Thabo Rametsi, who plays Hugh Masekela, and Cynthia Erivo, portraying Miriam Makeba. Guy Pearce and Johnny Flynn are also part of the cast, taking on roles related to Archbishop Trevor Huddleston and Paul Simon, respectively.
Connections and Legacy
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Harry Belafonte, a noted civil rights activist and close associate of Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela, died in 2023 at the age of 96. He was among a select group of performers to achieve EGOT status, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. John Legend, also an EGOT recipient, has accumulated 13 Grammy awards, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a Tony award during his career. Legend stated he was "honoured to know him (Belafonte) as a friend, mentor and collaborator in the struggle for justice" and described him as "an incredible human being who lived a monumental, revolutionary life."
Hugh Masekela, recognised as the "father of South African jazz", was known for his anti-apartheid songs. He went into exile after the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre and later met Belafonte in the United States.
Questions this report answers
+Who is playing Harry Belafonte in the new film?
John Legend will play Harry Belafonte in 'The Road Home'. Legend, a 47-year-old singer and EGOT winner, will portray the activist and entertainer who died in 2023 at age 96. This marks Legend’s first major film role as Belafonte.
+What is the film 'The Road Home' about?
'The Road Home' follows South African jazz musicians Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba during the apartheid era. The film explores their exile, collaboration, and role in Paul Simon’s 'Graceland' project, aiming to amplify South Africa’s voice globally despite cultural boycotts.
+Who else stars in the film alongside John Legend?
Thabo Rametsi plays Hugh Masekela, Cynthia Erivo portrays Miriam Makeba, while Guy Pearce and Johnny Flynn take roles as Archbishop Trevor Huddleston and Paul Simon. The film is directed by Bill Condon and features new recordings from Masekela and Makeba’s music catalogue.
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