Ladysmith Black Mambazo helped power Paul Simon's Graceland album, recorded with Dolly Parton, played onstage with Oprah, and have won 5 Grammys.

South Africa's Official Submission for the Best International Feature Academy Award. Beyond Graceland tells the story of South African musician, the late Joseph Shabalala and his band Ladysmith Black Mambazo who became worldwide sensations after powering Paul Simon's landmark and massively successful Graceland album.

Bathed in Ladysmith's powerful music, the documentary covers the full breadth of the band's career, from early years in rural South Africa to the height of global success and Shabalala's passing in 2020. This film takes viewers on their spiritual and emotional journey.

Along with footage and insights into the Graceland recording sessions, the film introduces us to many of the luminaries who worked with Shabalala, including Dolly Parton and Whoopi Goldberg. We also hear from Paul Simon, Oprah Winfrey and many others.

The film also documents the complex history of Isicathamiya music - the musical idiom whose boundaries he helped to expand - in terms of the political and musical forces that helped to form it. This social context opens a window into his relationship with Nelson Mandela who loved the music.

Filmed over five years, Beyond Graceland gives us extraordinary access to Shabalala's creative process.

Locating this music at the heart of the South African experience as well as in its physical heartlands, Beyond Graceland is an engaging tribute to one of the world's most distinctive musical forms and the beautifully resonant voice that made it famous.

Media

Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

• Trailer
• Additional interviews

 

Cast & Crew

Actors:

•       Oprah Winfrey as self
•       Whoopi Goldberg
•       Dolly Parton as self
•       Joseph Shabalala as self
•       Thoko Shabalala as self
•       Paul Simon as self

Director: Mpumi 'Supa' Mbele

Producer: Carolyn Carew

Producer: Judy Nwokedi

Producer: Kate Kotcheff

Additional Details

Label: Pop Twist

Genre: Documentary

Language: English

Run Time: 90:06 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 01/20/26

UPC: 760137194392