 | |
List Price: $19.98 | | Label: Palm Pictures / Umvd
Salesrank: 66499
Released: September 9, 2008 |
| Our Price: $14.67 |
| Used Price: $9.93 |
|
MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
|
| Features:
Color DVD Widescreen NTSC | |
Editorial Review:
WE ARE TOGETHER tells the remarkable and moving story of a group of children who overcome hardship and loss with music. Filmed over a period of three years, it is the story of an orphanage unlike any you've ever seen, where the young singers of the Agape Choir lift their voices to create the home and family they so very much need.
Life has not been easy for 12-year-old Slindile and her siblings living at the Agape Orphanage in South Africa, where most of the children have lost their parents to AIDS. These toddlers and teens squabble and stumble just like any other youths, discovering themselves and craving stability. Having already borne great hardships, Slindile along with here sisters and baby brother must endure the fact that their elder brother Sifiso had been diagnosed with AIDS and is slowly wasting away due to lack of medical care. And yet, when they lift their voices in song, something extraordinary happens-they overcome their fears, band together as a family and better their lives.
We Are Together Reviews:
Inspirint documentary 
2009-08-11 - I have a friend who takes aid to the province of South Africa where this orphanage is in the form of basic needs (food, shelter, clothing) and begins educational and self-help programs. What she has told me about orphanages she has visited and with whom she has worked is that the children who get into an orphanage ARE THE LUCKY ONES. They has basic necessities and someone to look after them. People need to know there are children as young as seven years old who are on their own and sometimes are the caregivers for their younger children. This is the result of the AIDS/HIV pandemic that has taken their parents.
She has told me that the people of KwaZulu Natel usually sing from dawn to dusk. Recently someone who is still in the region told her that the children who come to the after school program my friend started are too weak from malnutrition to sing as they once did. Although my friend has not worked at Agape she has visited and says this orphanage is among the best. For anyone interested in reading about my friend and her experiences they can do so at [...]. This nonprofit is licensed as a 501(c)(3) organization in the state of Georgia.
O HAPPY DAY!! 
2008-11-22 - Paul Taylor, writer and director, opens this beautiful documentary with a group of African children being awakened in the morning like kids anywhere, the difference being that these children live in The Agape Orphanage in South Africa. Their parents were the victims of AIDS. It is estimated there are 1.2 million AIDS orphans in Africa. Agape serves about 50 of these children. Music is a big part of the life of Agape as it is all throughout South Africa. As we enter the story, the children are rehearsing for a trip to England where they will perform to help raise money for the home. The story takes several turns as the trip to England is cancelled and two tragedies strike the home and the children during the three years of filming. Along the journey we get to meet and know 12 year old Slindile and her siblings along with many other children and get to know a culture so much different from our own. The music will inspire and uplift you as well as the infectious personalities of the children. The film is worth watching just to see the recording session in the studio of 'O Happy Day'. If you somehow feel we are suffering in our country because of the economy, etc., watch this movie. It will make your day. I believe you will realize how much we have in comparison to the rest of the world, even with our challenges. Highly recommend. [...]
Wonderful, inspirational story!
2008-09-13 - I saw this on PBS. It is the story of an orphanage called Agape in South Africa and the children of Agape. All the children have been through difficult lives and many have lost their parents through AIDS. The most charasmatic of the children is 12-year-old Slindile who's brother is also dying of AIDS and the parents are already dead.
It's a must-see! I bought this DVD for all my relatives for Christmas gift giving. I will never forget these kids!
heart wrenching and inspiring
2008-08-30 - Since it hasn't been released yet, I obviously haven't seen the DVD, but last week I stumbled upon the program on HBO when construction crews outside were driving me insane for the third day in a row, and had actually succeeded in trapping me in my house that afternoon (unless I wanted to scale a 4 foot wall). After a few minutes I didn't care that I couldn't get out, because I had no desire to leave. This story will take you to the extremes of emotion. We can learn an important lesson from these children. In the midst of despair and disaster they still find hope, joy, and belief in the future.
