Author: pangeaday
Length: 05:08
++ Discussion on PangeaDay.org ++Directed by Zach Niles and Banker White (USA) The remarkable story of a group of six Sierra Leonean musicians who come together to form a band while living in a West African refugee camp.First-time filmmakers Zach Niles and Banker White started SodaSoap Productions in 2002 in support of their the documentary film 'Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars' (2006). "SodaSoap" comes from the title of an All Stars song that encourages people to take pride in what they can produce on their own. It has become a guiding artistic theme for the duo, who are recipients of a 2008 Creative Capital Foundation Grant for "We Own TV," a collaborative media project that promotes self-expression through visual media by bringing filmmaking education and equipment to Sierra Leonean youth. Project participants will collaboratively create and produce their own independent media which will be distributed via "We Own TV's" broadcast and online partners. Zach and Banker also continue to work closely with their friends "Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars" who, since the release of the film have become international stars and strident advocates for refugee rights. The SodaSoap Productions schedule is full as planning is under way to record a new album with the band later this year and documentary projects in Haiti and Cuba are currently in production.CrewDirectors: Zach Niles, Banker WhiteMusical Director: Chris VelanEditor: Jim BruceCinematographers: Banker White, Chris Jenkins, Andrew MitchellAdditional Camera: Mattito WatsonExecutive Producers: Steve Bing, Shelley Lazar, Ice Cube, Matt AlvarezCo-Producers: Jim Bruce, Alphonse MunyanezaCastThe Refugee All Stars: Reuben M. KoromaFrancis John Langba ("Franco"), Abdul Rahim Kamara ("Arahim"), Grace Efuah Ampomah, Alhadji Jefferey Kamara ("Black Nature"), Mohamed BanguraThe Emperors Band: Ashade Pearce, Mustapha Massaqoi ("Nico"), Idrissa Bangura ("Malam")Additional Cast: Idrissa Conteh, Sam Jones, Tonya MussaProduction Assistance:, Lynn 'Ngugi', Rosaline Idowu, Magriet Veenma, Yaya, Camara: Max Marcus, Ousmane Baldez, Irissa ContehMusicThe Refugee All Stars bandThe Emperors Dance bandChris VelanCreditsPost-Production Sound Services: Skywalker SoundSupervising Sound Editors: Dustin Cawood, E.J. HolowickiSound Re-Recording Mixer: Juan PeraltaMusic Re-Recording Mixer: E.J. HolowickiDialogue Editors: Dustin Cawood, E. Larry OatfieldSound Effects Editor: Dustin CawoodMusic Re-Recording Mixer: E.J. HolowickiAdditional Music Re-Recording Mixer: Dan OlmsteadAdditional Music Pre-Mix: Michael RomanowskiAdditional Score: Josh WingetStudio Music Recorded at Island Studio, Freetown, Sierra LeoneRecording Engineer: Sam JonesMusic Licensing: Joe RudgeStudio Music Mixed at Planet Studios, Montreal, CanadaProducer (music): Chris VelanProduction Engineer: Daniel CinelliAssistant Engineer: Ghislain Brind'AmourOn-line Editing Facility: PlasterCITY Digital Post, Otto Arsenault, Steve Beres, Michael CioniOn-Line Editor: Chris JohnstoneConsulting Editor: Yasha AginskyArtistic Director: Jim SchaafPoster Design: Stephen StanardWeb Site: Bela Spoher, Protrigga DesignsAdditional Graphics Work: Charles MatheyPublicity: David Magdael & AssociatesLegal Services: James Sammataro, Law Offices of Akerman SenterfittCreative Consultants: Patrick Kennedy, Ivan Landau, Tucker MalarckeyColor CorrectionPost Logic StudiosColorist: Mario BarreraThis Film Was Supported By A Grant FromThe Sundance Institute Documentary FundAdditional Funding byPacific Pioneer FundLEF FoundationNu Lambda TrustThe Rex FoundationSponsored byThe Film Arts Foundation