The AIDS epidemic has had a profound effect on African families, leaving an
estimated 1.2 million children orphaned in South Africa alone. Told largely through the
eyes and voice of 12-year-old Slindile Moya, from a family of nine siblings who lost their
parents to AIDS, the uplifting HBO documentary WE ARE TOGETHER: THE CHILDREN
OF AGAPE CHOIR celebrates the remarkable life-changing odyssey of children who
overcome hardship through love, community and music.
Filmed over the course of three years, WE ARE TOGETHER: THE CHILDREN
OF AGAPE CHOIR focuses on Slindile Moya's family, including an older brother who
lives at home and has the HIV virus, as well as other residents of the orphanage who are
members of the choir. Ten years ago, amid the rapid increase in HIV infection, Zodwa
Mqadi, called "Grandma" by the children, founded the Agape Child Care Center to house
and educate orphaned children. ("Agape" is Greek for "unconditional love.") Despite a
lack of funding, Grandma provides a home to children, where they overcome difficult
situations with help from their friends and their love of music and rhythm. She decides to
bring the music of the children's remarkable a capella choir to the world, aiming to inspire
contributions to expand Agape and help more children.
Grandma and her choir overcome many obstacles, including a cancelled trip to the
U.K., a devastating fire and a family tragedy, to make that dream come true. The choir
records a CD with the help of South African pop star Zwai Bala and travels to New York,
performing with Alicia Keys and Paul Simon at Keep a Child Alive's annual Black Ball.
Despite the hardships in the children's lives, their infectious smiles and beautiful voices
make people believe in a vibrant future.
WE ARE TOGETHER: THE CHILDREN OF AGAPE CHOIR made its North
American premiere at 2007's Tribeca Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award.
Overall, the film has won more than 15 festival awards, being honored at Edinburgh, One
World, Amnesty International, IDFA and the IDA Awards, among others.
HBO Documentary Films in association with Palm Pictures and Channel 4 British
Documentary Film Foundation present A Rise Films Production; editors, Masahiro
Hirakubo and Ollie Huddleston; music performed by The Children Of Agape; original
music by Dario Marianelli; associate producers, Annie Roney, Pauline Von Moltke;
executive producers, Leigh Blake, Jess Search; producers, Teddy Leifer, Paul Taylor;
director, Paul Taylor. For HBO: supervising editor, Geof Bartz, A.C.E.; senior producer,
Nancy Abraham; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.
