Karoo Kitaar Blues

Saving an Almost Forgotten Folk Music

Directed by Lisa Key

Karoo Kitaar Blues follows South African songwriter David Kramer and slide guitarist Hannes Coetzee into remote regions of South Africa on their quest to find musicians who play an almost forgotten folk music. The film documents their journey into the harsh and arid landscape of Namaqualand and the Great Karoo interweaving musical performance and interviews with violinists, guitarists, piano accordionists and mouth organ players who play what Kramer describes as Karoo Blues.

Little is known of the origins of this music. It is the music of shepherds and sheep shearers who are descendents of the original inhabitants of these semi -desert areas. This music has probably evolved in much the same way as the Afrikaans language that the musicians speak ­ a blend of indigenous and colonial influences.

By the end of the journey nine musicians are invited to Cape Town where they record some of their songs and perform to packed houses and great acclaim. An endangered culture has been given a new breath of life.

54 min. Video or DVD. Sale $295. Video rental $85. Longer version (92 min) is available

Margaret Mead Film Festival, 2004
International Documentary Festival, Amsterdam, 2003

"...the film opens up a cultural world that contrasts with many conventional depictions of South Africa found in political documentaries and is of consequent teaching value" African Studies Review