A Lion’s Trail | Encounters Mega Archive/Library
Awards (click to collapse)

Portobello Film Festival, UK (2003) – Winner: Best Documentary

News and Documentary Emmy Awards, USA (2005) – Winner: Outstanding Cultural and Artistic Programming

Short
African

2003

2003-film-poster Poster
Film Poster

The remarkable story of a tune composed by Zulu herdboy Solomon Linda, which became one of the most recorded songs in history, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, but left its originator penniless after an American songwriter stole the rights. Lion’s Trail takes you on a visual and aural adventure from the rolling hills and humble churches of Africa to America’s concrete jungles. Here, folk singer Pete Seeger stumbled on the composition in 1949, only to see George David Weiss add a few words and claim royalties ever since, while Linda’s descendants languish in poverty in Soweto. It’s a gripping investigation into the shady world of copyright piracy, and a rousing celebration of the power of song to inspire and unite across continents and generations.

Courtesy of Undercurrent Film & TV.

Previous Festivals

Portobello Film Festival, UK (2003)