ESPN’s Sal Masekela on ALEKESAM – A Film About a Father and Son Relationship with his Dad, South African Musician Hugh Masekela

August 24, 2012

Television host, sports commentator, actor, and singer Selema Mabena “Sal” Masekela tells us about his film “Alekesam,” which is a documentary of his life as the son of Hugh Masekela, a Jazz musician also known for his activism. The documentary was born out of Sal’s decision to be a singer, something he had put off his whole life and then grows into a story that showcases his life journey as well as his dad’s and their father / son relationship (interview from the red carpet at the 2012 Hollyshorts Film Festival).

Check out Sal’s amazing music / band ALEKESAM here!

Alekesam’s Jason Bergh and Selema Mabena Masekela

ALEKESAM

Directed by: Jason Bergh

Synopsis (from Youtube page):

Hugh Masekela — musician, activist and father was exiled from his family and native South Africa for over 30 years as a direct result of Apartheid. Undaunted, he would find musical success in America with the 1968 number one hit, Grazin’ In The Grass, and in 1971 he would father a son, Selema Mabena Masekela. Yet shortly thereafter, Hugh would make the choice to leave America and his son for Africa, in an effort to reconnect to his homeland through music and create awareness about the situation in South Africa. 39 years later, Selema, better known as television personality and ESPN X Games host ‘Sal’ Masekela, reflects on his relationship with his father, the accompanying issues of abandonment and addiction, race and self, and the conflicts that influence the choices we make in our lives. Alekesam explores the story of a father exiled from his country, a son exiled from his father, and their mutual attempt to connect to the world, and each other through music.

(Watch the video here)

Filmmaker Jason Bergh on fatherhood and making a personal film entitled Alekesam – about musician Hugh Masekela and musician/host/actor/surfer son Sal Masekela (from the Hollyshorts 2012 Film Festival).

(Watch the video here)

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Entertainment Journalist Ben Lyons shares his thoughts on how much attention filmmakers should pay to critics reviews, what he gained from reviews on the documentary short “Alekesam” that he produced, and he tells us how the most successful indie filmmakers know how to build a relationship with the people who are watching their films.