We Are Together (Thina Simunye)

This remarkable documentary weaves a variety of poignant stories about orphans of the African AIDS epidemic, the uplifting tale of a marvelous children's choir, and the quiet heroism of a family of ten siblings that have lost their parents. It shifts focus from the microcosmic look at a poor black South African family, to a medium range examination of an orphanage that does what it can in its own limited way, to a wide-angled view of the world's perception of the same subject. While not free of sobering truths regarding the epidemic in Africa, it offers some joyous insights into the daily lives of some of its victims, and some wise observations of the role of music in their lives. It's one of those rare experiences that make you happy you're crying, and at the same time make you laugh out loud. I absolutely promise you, you won't be sorry you see this film. Just don't forget the Kleenex.

Slindile is a twelve year old orphan living with some of her brothers and sisters in the Agape orphanage in South Africa. The other siblings still live in the family home but had to give up the younger ones when their parents died and they did not have the money to feed all of the children and look after them. She now lives at the orphanage along with many other children who have lost, or been abandoned by their parents. Over several years this film follows the lives of those in the orphanage, with particular focus on Slindile, as they live their lives and also prepare for a trip to England to perform in order to raise money for Agape.

I heard about this film on Shooting People and was pleased to see it get such publicity and a decent slot on terrestrial television recently. Watching it myself I must admit that the cynical bitter part of me (that'll be all the bits between the soles of my feet and my thinning hair) was prepared for the usual "African" fare of happy singing children, bright colours, bare feet and middle-class guilt. Forgive me this but on paper this is just what the film is but even those with hardest hearts will have to concede that the film is way more than just the clichés but is actually a challenging, uplifting and surprisingly hopeful film.

With any documentary, the real work comes in getting the right subjects – particularly when you are making a film focused on a small group to illustrate a bigger story. Films can fall over by picking the wrong group or by focusing on the wrong people in a group, some of it is in the selection and maybe it can come in the edit if you have enough footage. Director Taylor doesn't really have this problem as he already knew his subjects from his time volunteering in a break from film school. He has already chosen his subjects and for him this is half the battle. That his subjects allow him to capture tragedy and loss as much as hope and happiness is down to them but it is all captured and brought together really well in the edit. The film wisely doesn't dwell on the issue of AIDS but rather just lets us see, through Slindile and her family, how it impacts just one family – the extrapolation of that it leaves to us to do from what we already know of the situation and the basic stats it provides at the end.

It is compelling in both the sadness of it all but also the endless spirit of hope and survival that is maintained through everything. If I have a bad day at work I am useless in the evening, think how great about myself I felt watching this! Slindile is a great focal point because she is a beautiful girl but also one of those children who has their thoughts written on their face, the infectious smile is just another reason to love her. We see all this through her and she is a massive part in hooking the viewer into the reality of the situation – this film is not another "black people dying somewhere else" reports that we see so often on the news that it is practically just accepted as the way things are. The rest of the kids are great too but again it is not just about "cute kids" (although Mbali is undoubtedly the cutest child ever) but also the adults, as the film gives time to the elder siblings whose lot is not much better but whose spirits are just as strong.

It is an impressive film from Taylor and really well pulled together by editor Hirakubo into an effective and engaging piece that gets the mix of emotions just right. Uplifting and challenging in equal measure – if you are not asking what you can do to help or where you can donate by the end of the film then there is genuinely something wrong with you. Simply put - a beautiful and moving film. www.wearetogether.org.

If there is one Documentary that everyone should have, let it be this one. I have seen this documentary several times on HBO and I was moved to tears. It is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. You can't help it to feel with those kids in Agape and it makes you angry because you can't do nothing about it. AIDS is no longer a big topic in our modern society, but in Africa it is a sad part of life. And the film brings this across in a very powerful and heart breaking way. Great job to the director!!! If you want to see it, buy the DVD and the CD with the wonderful songs of the children. This way you will also support them because the money of the sales go to the kids in Agape. A must see!!!!!!!

What a wonderful group of kids. They face heartbreaking tragedy and loss and dashed hopes, but all the while they are held up by their love for each other and God's love ("Agape," the name of the orphanage, is the ancient Greek word for it) and by their own beautiful singing, which soars throughout the movie up until the fairy-tale ending. I saw it this weekend at the True/False film festival in Columbia, Missouri, and I cried through the entire film. There was one point at which I almost started sobbing. Here's hoping this movie will receive enough press and popularity to attain a wide release and more people will be blessed with it as I was.

I rated this documentary with a 10 out of 10, because the kids in it, their lives, the tragedies they go through and the way they just fight it all back with a song and a smile is so shocking for all of us people that our life problems revolve around jobs, debts, holidays etc.

Watching this I felt that if I was faced with the problems these kids encounter in their lives (no parents, AIDS killing my relatives and the people that I love, poverty) I would definitely break. But their innocence and strength is amazing! Plus, the songs you will hear in 'We are together' are amazing, the kids' voices are amazing and if you watch the movie or buy their CD you help them with their Agape kids' home.

I was moved and amazed by this and it gave me another perception of life, which I knew it existed, but never had such a striking reference for it.

Highly recommended!