Liyana (2018)
85%RT Audience Score: 71%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Liyana is a cinematic masterpiece that showcases the power of storytelling in the most heartwarming and inspiring way possible. The film’s ability to tackle heavy subjects with such grace and optimism is a testament to the filmmakers’ skill and sensitivity. The children’s stories are not only compelling but also beautifully illustrated, adding depth and emotion to an already powerful narrative. Liyana is a must-see for anyone who believes in the transformative power of creativity and the resilience of the human spirit. It’s a film that will leave you feeling uplifted, inspired, and grateful for the power of storytelling.
Liyana is like a warm hug from your grandma, if your grandma was a group of orphans in Swaziland telling a story about a brave girl on a quest. The animation is stunning and the children’s stories are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, creativity and imagination can be a powerful tool for healing and hope. Plus, who doesn’t love a good hero’s journey? Highly recommend for anyone in need of a little inspiration and a lot of feels.
Production Company(ies)
Backup Media, Big Farm Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
Distributor
Abramorama
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Swaziland
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2018
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 17m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2018 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2019
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, Swazi girl, twin brothers, Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp, Davis Coombe, Sakheni Dlamini, Daniel Junge, Albie Hecht, Susan MacLaury, Abramorama, Gcina Mhlophe, $23.1K, English, 1h 17m, reviewed by Ben Sachs, Karen Han, Kimber Myers, Matt Fagerholm, Ben Kenigsberg, Guy Lodge, Sandie Angulo Chen, Cate Marquis, MaryAnn Johanson, Jennifer Merin, Betsy Bozdech, genre, producer, director, box office performance, MPAA rating, budget, actor, writer
Worldwide gross: $44,045
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $51,831
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 3,082
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 5,652
US/Canada gross: $44,045
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $51,831
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,750
US/Canada opening weekend: $2,160
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $2,542
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,845
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Aaron Kopp – Director
Amanda Kopp – Director
Albie Hecht – Executive Producer
Susan MacLaury – Executive Producer
Davis Coombe – Producer
Director(s)
Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Davis Coombe, Sakheni Dlamini, Daniel Junge, Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (42) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (1)
Like Abbas Kiarostami’s documentary ABC Africa (2001), the result is an unexpectedly joyous film about heavy subjects.
April 9, 2020
Ben Sachs
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
If the rule is “show, don’t tell,” then Liyana is a success.
October 22, 2018
Karen Han
L.A. Weekly
TOP CRITIC
The children’s stories alone would have been compelling, but illustrating them in this medium adds even more depth, nuance and emotion.
October 18, 2018
Kimber Myers
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
As tough as the subject matter may get at times, the film is guaranteed to be an uplifting one for viewers of all ages, with its emphasis placed on the joy of its subjects, whether it be in their everyday life or in the midst of their creative process.
October 10, 2018 | Rating: 3.5/4
Matt Fagerholm
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
There are ways in which “Liyana” might seem to put too rosy a spin on its subject matter, but it shows the optimism and self-awareness that can come from creativity.
October 10, 2018
Ben Kenigsberg
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
A film for enterprising, discussion-inclined parents and teachers to share with their own young ones, passing the story on in the process.
October 10, 2018
Guy Lodge
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Liyana is a beautiful film about the way storytelling can empower, heal, and reveal truths.
October 11, 2021
Sandie Angulo Chen
AWFJ Women on Film
In lesser hands, this documentary could have been something simple and too sweet, but Aaron Kopp, who grew up in Swaziland, and his wife Amanda, wisely let the children’ express their darker thoughts as well as the hopeful ones.
October 11, 2021
Cate Marquis
AWFJ Women on Film
Liyana is an absolutely lovely and heartening vision of the power of story to help children cope with trauma, overcome their fears, and find hope in a world that has been too harsh to them.
October 11, 2021
MaryAnn Johanson
AWFJ Women on Film
Movies can matter. Liyana clearly does.
October 11, 2021
Jennifer Merin
AWFJ Women on Film
The two worlds the film captures – the orphans’ African home and Liyana’s gorgeously rendered environment – are ultimately beautiful, despite all of the pain and tragedy they hold…
October 11, 2021
Betsy Bozdech
AWFJ Women on Film
While much of the story is basic Joseph Campbell Hero’s Journey stuff, like any story, it’s made memorable by its details.
August 21, 2021 | Rating: B
Kip Mooney
College Movie Review…
Plot
In “Liyana,” a Swazi girl sets out on a dangerous mission to save her twin brothers, as her story is brought to life through animation and documentary footage.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about Liyana.
Aaron-Kopp.jpg
