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The Country Club in Johannesburg was the place to be on Thursday night where the photorealistic, computer-animated remake of The Lion King had its South African premiere on a giant screen under the stars.
Local celebs and fans braved the cold for the special viewing of the highly anticipated movie ahead of its worldwide release on Friday.
Some celebs made the evening a family affair with Muvhango cast members gracing the red carpet and presenter Masechaba Ndlovu bringing her son along.
The legendary Grammy award-winning singer, producer and composer, Lebo M, whose voice you hear in Circle of Life, the first song in the film, was there with his family.
Lebo M, who worked alongside and produced songs with Grammy award-winning producer Pharrell Williams, and collaborated on a song with Beyoncé – the voice of Nala in the remake – as well as rapper and singer Childish Gambino, who is the voice of Simba, said the remake of the timeless movie was both a personal triumph and that of Africa as a whole.
“It is symbolic of a homecoming. It is premiering in my home country which is the spiritual birth of The Lion King. I’ve been involved in the Broadway [theatre] production of The Lion King for 25 years and I worried whether the remake would complement the original movie, but the director took it to the next level and he remained trueto the original story and the authenticity of the characters. I look forward to Africans experiencing this brilliant movie which I truly feel will bring dignity to us,” he said.
Equally proud to be part of the historic occasion was acclaimed actor, director and playwright John Kani, who lends his voice to Rafiki in the movie.
“When I was told I would be playing Rafiki I was happy because Rafiki and I are almost the same age; we’re both over 75 and we’re both elders. We both carry the wisdom and history of not only the pride, but also the nation.
“Everyone gave their hearts and made the story so real that you feel like something incredibly sensuous is being told. Yet there’s also the danger of living in this huge forest – but we all come out in the end to celebrate our own humanity and our relationship of being custodians of nature and these animals,” he said.
Other famous faces who graced the red carpet were Khaya Mthethwa, Enhle Mbali Maphumulo, Connie Chiume, Maps Maponyane, Refilwe Modiselle, Tresor, Cassper Nyovest, Sjava, DJ Zinhle, AKA and gqom queens Busiswa and Moonchild Sanelly, who were handpicked by Beyoncé to feature on a song on an album she curated for the movie soundtrack called The Gift.
Despite the numbing cold, the idea of holding it under the stars was ingenious and it was a great evening overall.
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