United States
The remarkable, life-affirming story of a group of six Sierra Leonean musicians who come together to form a band while living in a West African refugee camp.
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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.
Refugee All Stars
Soda Soap
We Own TV
Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars
On MySpace
Crew
Directors: Zach Niles, Banker White
Musical Director: Chris Velan
Editor: Jim Bruce
Cinematographers: Banker White, Chris Jenkins, Andrew Mitchell
Additional Camera: Mattito Watson
Executive Producers: Steve Bing, Shelley Lazar, Ice Cube, Matt Alvarez
Co-Producers: Jim Bruce, Alphonse Munyaneza
Cast
The Refugee All Stars: Reuben M. Koroma
Francis John Langba (“Franco”), Abdul Rahim Kamara (“Arahim”), Grace Efuah Ampomah, Alhadji Jefferey Kamara (“Black Nature”), Mohamed Bangura
The Emperors Band: Ashade Pearce, Mustapha Massaqoi (“Nico”), Idrissa Bangura (“Malam”)
Additional Cast: Idrissa Conteh, Sam Jones, Tonya Mussa
Production Assistance:, Lynn 'Ngugi', Rosaline Idowu, Magriet Veenma, Yaya, Camara: Max Marcus, Ousmane Baldez, Irissa Conteh
Music
The Refugee All Stars band
The Emperors Dance band
Chris Velan
Credits
Post-Production Sound Services: Skywalker Sound
Supervising Sound Editors: Dustin Cawood, E.J. Holowicki
Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Juan Peralta
Music Re-Recording Mixer: E.J. Holowicki
Dialogue Editors: Dustin Cawood, E. Larry Oatfield
Sound Effects Editor: Dustin Cawood
Music Re-Recording Mixer: E.J. Holowicki
Additional Music Re-Recording Mixer: Dan Olmstead
Additional Music Pre-Mix: Michael Romanowski
Additional Score: Josh Winget
Studio Music Recorded at Island Studio, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Recording Engineer: Sam Jones
Music Licensing: Joe Rudge
Studio Music Mixed at Planet Studios, Montreal, Canada
Producer (music): Chris Velan
Production Engineer: Daniel Cinelli
Assistant Engineer: Ghislain Brind'Amour
On-line Editing Facility: PlasterCITY Digital Post, Otto Arsenault, Steve Beres, Michael Cioni
On-Line Editor: Chris Johnstone
Consulting Editor: Yasha Aginsky
Artistic Director: Jim Schaaf
Poster Design: Stephen Stanard
Web Site: Bela Spoher, Protrigga Designs
Additional Graphics Work: Charles Mathey
Publicity: David Magdael & Associates
Legal Services: James Sammataro, Law Offices of Akerman Senterfitt
Creative Consultants: Patrick Kennedy, Ivan Landau, Tucker Malarckey
Color Correction
Post Logic Studios
Colorist: Mario Barrera
This Film Was Supported By A Grant From
The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund
Additional Funding by
Pacific Pioneer Fund
LEF Foundation
Nu Lambda Trust
The Rex Foundation
Sponsored by
The Film Arts Foundation
Film: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, directed by Banker White and Zack Niles
Refugees in Sierra Leone band together -- bringing music and laughter to a community in need. (LIVE NOW)