2012 @Hollyshorts Film Festival Opening Night Magic

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.

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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.