Directed by PAUL TAYLOR Produced by TEDDY LEIFER PAUL TAYLOR Written by SLINDILE MOYA PAUL TAYLOR Editors MASAHIRO HIRAKUBO OLLIE HUDDLESTON Music performed by THE CHILDREN OF AGAPE Original Music by DARIO MARIANELLI Photography by PAUL TAYLOR Senior Producer (for HBO) NANCY ABRAHAM Executive Producers LEIGH BLAKE SHEILA NEVINS (for HBO) JESS SEARCH Associate Producers ANNIE RONEY PAULINE VON MOLTKE
Awards
Black Pearl Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary, Middle Eastern International Film Festival 2007 Best International Film, Tri-Continental Film Festival 2007 Audience Award, Edinburgh Intl Film Festival 2007 Audience Award, Tribeca Film Festival 2007 Special Jury Prize, Tribeca Film Festival 2007 Audience Award, Amnesty International Film Festival 2007 All Rights Award, Amnesty International Film Festival 2007 Special Jury Prize, One World International Film Festival 2007 Audience Award, IDFA Amsterdam 2006 First Appearance Award, IDFA Amsterdam 2006
Professional Affiliations
HBO Documentary Films Channel 4 British Documentary Film FoundationEMI
WE ARE TOGETHER takes Grand Jury Prize at MEIFF
WE ARE TOGETHER has won the Black Pearl Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary at the inaugural Middle Eastern International Film Festival. All Black Pearl Awards also come with a production grant that will help launch the filmmakers’ future projects.
WE ARE TOGETHER receives Best International Film Award at Tri Continental Film Festival
Jury Statement:
"We knew that Paul Taylor's inspirational documentary about children in the Agape Orphanage would capture the hearts of our audiences. The children allow us into their world with an honesty that grips you from the opening of the film. A large part of their lives at the orphanage revolve around the choir and getting the song right. When these young choirists, many of whom have lost parents and family members to AIDS, get it right, it's pure magic."
EMI
Rise Films is delighted to have EMI on board as the UK distributor (Theatrical, DVD and CD) for WE ARE TOGETHER in the UK. Special thanks to Stefan Demetriou!
Audience Award at UK PREMIERE
25/08/07
In Edinburgh WE ARE TOGETHER triumphed over this year's other hotly tipped titles RATATOUILLE, IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON, CONTROL and Quentin Tarantino’s latest offering, DEATH PROOF. It is only the second time in 10 years that a documentary has won the award, the last being Oscar-nominated BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB in 1999.
WINNERS! Audience Award & Special Jury Prize at TRIBECA
30/04/07
WE ARE TOGETHER received Audience Award at the TRIBECA film Festival after being voted by audiences as their favourite film out of all 157 documentary and fiction films at the festival! It also won the Speical Jury Prize.
THE PREMIERE: With Bono, Alicia Keys, Spike Lee, Iman & the Children of Agape!
28/04/07
WE ARE TOGETHER had its grand North American Premiere at the Tribeca film festival last night. Special Guests Bono, Alicia Keys and Iman turned out to support the children and their film
WE ARE TOGETHER wins 2 Awards at AMNESTY
19/03/07
WE ARE TOGETHER picks up all possible awards at the AMNESTY International Film Festival receiving both the overall Audience Award plus the youth jury "All rights" Award.
Film wins Prestigious Audience Award in Amsterdam
03/12/06
WE ARE TOGETHER wins both the prizes it was eligible for during its debut at IDFA, often described as "the most important documentary film festival in the world". The film picked up the overall Audience award out of all 170 films, and received the highest score in the festivals illustrious history. It was also awarded the First Appearance award for directors making their first or second films.
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Filmed over three years, WE ARE TOGETHER tells the remarkable and moving story of a group of children who use music to overcome hardship and loss. It is the story of an orphanage, unlike one you've ever seen before, and of the drive of these remarkable young singers and their teachers to make it to London for a series of concerts.
Life has not been easy for 12-year-old Slindile, her siblings and her friends at the Agape Orphanage in South Africa, where most of the children have lost their parents to AIDS. But they are still kids and teenagers, bashful around boys, squabbling with each other. And when they lift their voices in song, something extraordinary happens.
As the kids at Agape orphanage continue to train for what they hope will be their big break, Slindile and her siblings are hit with more hard news - their oldest brother Sifiso, who has been sick for months, has AIDS.
With unforgettable kids, soaring music and a plot full of surprises, WE ARE TOGETHER arrives as a stirring and uplifting theatrical documentary.
Who I'd like to meet:
WE ARE TOGETHER (Thina Simunye)'s Friend Space (Top 28)
I watched the documentary in a class for my group studying abroad in Pietermaritzburg in the spring. We all cried watching it and I bought the CD right after class last week. The movie was so inspirational and I hope to volunteer at Agape after I study abroad in South Africa!
HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING? I HOPE ALL IS WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN YOU WILL BE COMING TO THE NEW ENGLAND AREA OF USA! I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOU CHILDREN SINGS IN PERSON! GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER!
I noticed that your an actor and would really like to have you join our twenty dollar
acting workshops every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
This is us: www. theatre33. com
We are also a theatre producing company
So please give us a call at 646 619 7777
Peace
Theatre33
I was moved by your movie that was shown on HBO. After I watched it I decided to purchase the CD. It is absolutely amazing! Thank you for the music and please know that it is a blessing.
Free screening of We Are Together in Fell's Point in Baltimore, MD at the Films on the Pier THIS WEDNESDAY at 8:45PM. Bring your own chair! Should be beautiful weather. http://www. cdjoint. com/filmsonthepier. cfm
Thanks for the add :-) Your movie was very moving. Thank you all for using your amazing gifts to bring attention to the AIDS epidemic and all the children who need our help. I wish success and health for you all.
Your movie and music inspired me in so many ways. (1)to contribute to your journey with all that I could, (2)to look at my life and my relationship with my brothers and sisters and make sure that everyday counts and (3) to remember GOD always shines on us even when we dont feel the sun. I truly love your spirit and your strength and you will forever be in my heart and my prayers....and my CD player!
