The Road Home will feature John Legend as Harry Belafonte in the film about South African musician Hugh Maskela.
After getting our first look at The Road Home earlier this week, even more exciting details have been revealed about the upcoming Hugh Masekela biopic, including another major casting announcement and a closer look at the remarkable team bringing the film to life.
Joining the already impressive cast is Grammy, Emmy and Oscar-winning musician John Legend, who will portray legendary singer, actor and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte. Legend says taking on the role is deeply personal.
“I was honored to know Mr. Belafonte as my friend, mentor and collaborator in the struggle for justice. He was an incredible human being who lived a monumental, revolutionary life. He was the epitome of an artist and activist who set a standard for me and so many others who stand on his shoulders. I count it a privilege to be entrusted with the role of Harry Belafonte in this special film.”
As previously revealed, The Road Home stars Thabo Rametsi as Hugh Masekela, Cynthia Erivo as Miriam “Mama Africa” Makeba, Guy Pearce as Archbishop Trevor Huddleston and Johnny Flynn as Paul Simon.
The film follows Masekela during his years in exile as he navigates the controversy surrounding Paul Simon’s landmark Graceland album. Believing music could be one of the most powerful weapons in the fight against apartheid, Masekela joins forces with his lifelong friend and collaborator Miriam Makeba to help bring South Africa’s voice to the world. Combining the music of Masekela, Makeba and Simon, the film promises to tell a story of courage, sacrifice and the enduring power of music.
Behind the scenes, the project has clearly been treated with great care. Screenwriter Michael Bronner first became involved after being approached by the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation. During development, he worked closely with the foundation and conducted extensive research, including in-depth interviews with Paul Simon. Acclaimed South African author Zakes Mda also contributed story elements, drawing on his own interviews with Masekela.
Adding even more authenticity is veteran music producer Hilton Rosenthal, who worked closely with Paul Simon during the creation of Graceland. Rosenthal will produce new recordings from the catalogues of Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba for the soundtrack and has helped secure the music rights needed for the film.
The production is led by an accomplished team that includes Laura Bickford, Michael Bronner, Greg Yolen and South African producer Anant Singh, with Blue Ice producers Tebogo Maila and Adam Friedlander also on board. Thabo Rametsi serves as an executive producer alongside several international and South African industry leaders.
With production continuing in South Africa, The Road Home is shaping up to be one of the country’s most ambitious international film projects in recent years. Between its world-class cast, celebrated filmmakers and the incredible true story at its centre, it’s a film that continues to move higher on my must-watch list.
