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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Khumba
| name = Khumba
| image = Khumba poster.jpg
| image = Khumba poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Anthony Silverston
| director = Anthony Silverston
| producer = {{Plainlist|
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* Stuart Forrest
* Stuart Forrest
* Mike Buckland
* Mike Buckland
Line 12: Line 12:
* James Middleton
* James Middleton
* Anthony Silverston}}
* Anthony Silverston}}
| writer = {{Plainlist|
| writer = {{Plainlist|
* Raffaella Delle Donne
* Raffaella Delle Donne
* Anthony Silverston}}
* Anthony Silverston}}
| story = Anthony Silverston
| story = Anthony Silverston
| starring = {{Plainlist|<!-- Per poster billing block. Please do not change. -->
| starring = {{Plainlist|<!-- Per poster billing block. Please do not change. -->
* [[Jake T. Austin]]
* [[Jake T. Austin]]
* [[Steve Buscemi]]
* [[Steve Buscemi]]
Line 24: Line 24:
* [[AnnaSophia Robb]]
* [[AnnaSophia Robb]]
* [[Liam Neeson]]}}
* [[Liam Neeson]]}}
| music = Bruce Retief
| music = Bruce Retief
| editing = Luke MacKay
| editing = Luke MacKay
| studio = {{Plainlist|
| studio = [[Triggerfish Animation Studios]]
* [[Alchemy (company)|Millennium Entertainment]]
| distributor = {{ubl|Indigenous Film Distribution {{small|(International)}}|[[Alchemy (company)|Millennium Entertainment]] {{small|(US)}}|[[Cinema Management Group]]}}
⚫
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2013|9|8|[[Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]|2013|10|25|South Africa}}
* [[Cinema Management Group]]
⚫
| runtime = 85 minutes
* [[Triggerfish Animation Studios]]
* Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa
| country = South Africa
⚫
| language = English<br>Afrikaans
* National Film & Video Foundation of South Africa
⚫
| budget = $20 million<ref>{{cite web|last=Mallory|first=Michael|title=Khumba Earns Its Stripes|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/khumba-earns-stripes/|publisher=Animation Magazine|access-date=8 March 2014|date=15 November 2013|quote=Khumba was made for less (some whisper considerably less) than $20 million, roughly the P&A cost of a big-studio toon feature.}}</ref>
* Department of Trade & Industry of South Africa
⚫
| gross = $28.42 million<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=khumba.htm|title=Khumba (2013)|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=4 December 2014}}</ref>
* Spier Films<ref>{{cite web |title=Khumba (2013) |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/531e4b31737df |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203011155/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/531e4b31737df |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 December 2018 |website=[[British Film Institute|BFI]] |access-date=December 18, 2020}}</ref>
}}
| distributor = {{ubl|Indigenous Film Distribution {{small|(International)}}|[[Alchemy (company)|Millennium Entertainment]] {{small|(US)}}|[[Cinema Management Group]]}}
⚫
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2013|9|8|[[Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]|2013|10|25|South Africa}}
⚫
| runtime = 85 minutes
| country = South Africa
⚫
| language = English<br>Afrikaans
⚫
| budget = $20 million<ref>{{cite web|last=Mallory|first=Michael|title=Khumba Earns Its Stripes|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/khumba-earns-stripes/|publisher=Animation Magazine|access-date=8 March 2014|date=15 November 2013|quote=Khumba was made for less (some whisper considerably less) than $20 million, roughly the P&A cost of a big-studio toon feature.}}</ref>
⚫
| gross = $28.42 million<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=khumba.htm|title=Khumba (2013)|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=4 December 2014}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Khumba''''' is a 2013 South African [[computer-animated]] [[comedy film]] directed and co-produced by Anthony Silverston and written by Silverston and Raffaella Delle Donne. The film stars the voices of [[Jake T. Austin]], [[Steve Buscemi]], [[Loretta Devine]], [[Laurence Fishburne]], [[Richard E. Grant]], [[AnnaSophia Robb]],
'''''Khumba''''' is a 2013 South African animated [[comedy film]] directed and co-produced by Anthony Silverston and written by Silverston and Raffaella Delle Donne. The film stars the voices of [[Jake T. Austin]], [[Steve Buscemi]], [[Loretta Devine]], [[Laurence Fishburne]], [[Richard E. Grant]], [[AnnaSophia Robb]],
[[Anika Noni Rose]], [[Catherine Tate]], [[Ben Vereen]], and [[Liam Neeson]]. It is the second movie made by [[Triggerfish Animation Studios]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thefilmcatalogue.com/catalog/FilmDetail.php?id=7728 |title=The Film Catalogue |access-date=26 January 2012 |archive-date=18 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718084240/http://thefilmcatalogue.com/catalog/FilmDetail.php?id=7728 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and is distributed by [[Millennium Entertainment]] in the US. The International distribution rights are being licensed by [[Cinema Management Group]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/cmg-closes-three-major-territories-khumba/ |title=CMG Closes Three Major Territories on 'Khumba' |publisher=Animation Magazine|access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref> The film is about Khumba, a [[zebra]] who is half-striped like a [[quagga]] and blamed for the lack of rain by the rest of his insular, abusive, superstitious herd, except his dad, mom and Tombi. He embarks on a quest to earn his stripes.
[[Anika Noni Rose]], [[Catherine Tate]], [[Ben Vereen]], and [[Liam Neeson]]. It is the second movie made by [[Triggerfish Animation Studios]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thefilmcatalogue.com/catalog/FilmDetail.php?id=7728 |title=The Film Catalogue |access-date=26 January 2012 |archive-date=18 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718084240/http://thefilmcatalogue.com/catalog/FilmDetail.php?id=7728 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and is distributed by [[Millennium Entertainment]] in the US. The international distribution rights are being licensed by [[Cinema Management Group]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/cmg-closes-three-major-territories-khumba/ |title=CMG Closes Three Major Territories on 'Khumba' |date=11 September 2013 |publisher=Animation Magazine|access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref> The film is about Khumba, a zebra who is half-striped like a [[quagga]] and is blamed for the lack of rain throughout the land by most of his herd. He embarks on a quest to earn his missing stripes.


The film was dedicated in memory of [[Quagga Project|The Quagga Breeding Project]] founder [[Reinhold Rau]], who died on February 11 2006. Rau was known for efforts to use selective-breeding to recreate the extinct [[quagga]], a close relative of the plains zebra. The film premiered at the [[Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]] on September 8 2013, and was released on 25 October 2013 by Indigenous Film Distribution. ''Khumba'' received mixed reviews from critics and was a [[Box-office bomb|box office disappointment]], only grossing $28.4 million worldwide against a $20 million budget.<ref name=":0" />
The film was dedicated in memory of [[Quagga Project|The Quagga Breeding Project]] founder [[Reinhold Rau]], who died on February 11, 2006. Rau was known for efforts to use selective-breeding to recreate the extinct quagga, a close relative of the plains zebra. The film premiered at the [[Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]] on September 8, 2013, and was released on 25 October 2013 by Indigenous Film Distribution. ''Khumba'' received mixed reviews from critics and was a [[Box-office bomb|box office disappointment]], only grossing $28.4 million worldwide against a $20 million budget.<ref name=":0" />


==Plot==
==Plot==
In [[South Africa]] within the [[Karoo|Great Karoo]], a half-striped [[zebra]] named Khumba is born into an insular isolated herd of all-striped zebras where he's raised by his sick mother Lungisa and his father Seko, the herd's leader. Rumors that the strange foal is cursed spread and before long he is blamed for the drought that sets into the Great Karoo. As he matures, Khumba is picked on and remains ostracized by most of the herd with the exception of Tombi, a young female zebra friend close in age - whom Khumba has a crush on - and uncomfortable in the herd due to her tomboyish manners.
In [[Karoo|Great Karoo]], Khumba is born half-striped to an all-striped [[Plains zebra|zebra]] herd. He is raised by his mother Lungisa and his father Seko, the herd's leader. Khumba is blamed for a drought and is ostracized by the herd, except for Tombi, a female zebra who is also his best friend. Like Khumba, Tombi also feels out of place in the herd because of her tomboyish attitude.


A [[African mantis|mantis]] inspires Khumba by drawing a striated map locating water. Khumba admits a group of [[gemsbok]]s into the watering-hole and is punished. A [[leopard]] named Phango warns Mkhulu that the herd must leave to find water.
When a mystical [[African mantis]] appears to Khumba, he draws a map to what could be interpreted as either water or stripes between it. Khumba jeopardizes the herd and gets into trouble when he attempts to admit several [[gemsbok]] into the watering-hole enclosure when their wise elderly healer needs water. A murderous [[African leopard]], Phango, warns Khumba's leader Mkhulu that he and the herd can't stay in their enclosure forever. Seko berates and scolds Khumba for putting the herd at risk and for the next week, he'll drink half of his rations. Lungisa tells the story of how a white horse got its stripes by swimming in a magic river and other horses wanted to have stripes like him, making the zebra we know today. Shortly after, Lungisa succumbs to her disease and dies. Khumba leaves the confines of his home knowing that he cannot survive in the herd where he is viewed as only "half-a-zebra."


Lungisa tells the story of how the first zebras were plain white. One day, a brave young zebra journeyed across the Karoo, and discovered a magic water hole in a cave. After swimming in the water, the young zebra came out with stripes. The other zebras swam in the magic water and also received stripes.
Khumba ventures beyond the fence and once outside, encounters an opportunistic [[African wild dog]] named Skalk who nearly leads him to his doom when Skalk's pack try to eat him, even though he tries persuading his pack not to. He is saved by a maternal [[wildebeest]] named Mama V who is a self-confessed free spirit who does not want to be the average stay-at-home mom, like other wildebeest, and had lost her child to Phango, and a flamboyant British [[Common ostrich|ostrich]] named Bradley, who is mothered by Mama V, and possesses a histrionic [[diva]]-esque attitude. The duo join Khumba on his quest in the hope that their own search for a safe waterhole is over. On their journey, Khumba aids a migrating herd of [[springbok]] in opening a hole in a great fence to continue journeying forward.


Khumba ventures out and encounters an [[African wild dog]] named Skalk. A maternal [[wildebeest]] named Mama V saves him from trouble, accompanied by an [[Common ostrich|ostrich]] named Bradley. As the three search for water, Bradley reveals that he was almost sent to death in a slaughterhouse. Khumba aids a migrating herd of [[springbok]] in opening a hole in a great fence to continue journeying forward.
Khumba's group wanders into a new age, bohemian community living safely within the confines of Ying's National Park, where they meet a colorful group of individuals like a family of [[meerkat]]s, an [[Ground Pangolin]], two [[Imbabala|bushbuck]]s, a [[bat-eared fox]], and an Australian endangered [[riverine rabbit]] who has survived extinction by mastering a myriad of skills ranging from impersonations to beat-boxing. After narrowly escaping capture by an opportunistic group of [[park ranger]]s who [[tranquilizer gun|tranquilize]] Bradley and [[animal trapping|trap]] Khumba in a [[cage (enclosure)|cage]], he and his friends wanders to a nearby mountain to speak to the mighty [[black eagle|Black Eagle]] under the advice of the rabbit.


Khumba's group wanders into a bohemian community of animals living in Ying's National Park. After narrowly escaping capture by [[park ranger]]s who [[tranquilizer gun|tranquilize]] Bradley and trap Khumba in a cage, Khumba and his friends ascend a nearby mountain to speak to the Black Eagle.
⚫
Khumba encounters a group of fanatical [[rock hyrax]]es who worship the Black Eagle and stymie his advance. From the albino Black Eagle, he learns the way to the watering hole and that it lies in Phango's cave. The Black Eagle also reveals that Phango is obsessed with being whole and murdered his whole clan, as revenge for being rejected when he was a cub, due to him being born with one eye blind, which gave him a sense of smell like no other leopard, which turned him into a powerfull and endlessly killing hunter. Unbeknownst to Khumba, Phango is trailing him because of an ancient predator myth that says consuming Khumba will make whoever ate him the most powerful hunter that ever lived. As Khumba journeys onwards, Seko becomes withdrawn and is remorseful that he has let his herd down, and that he would have never been so hard on Khumba if it never happened. With Tombi’s help, he realizes that if he does not lead his herd in search of another waterhole, they will all die and sets out to follow the trail of Phango, prompted by evidence that Khumba may be alive.


⚫
Khumba encounters a group of [[rock hyrax]]es who worship the Black Eagle and stymie his advance. From the albino Black Eagle, he learns the way to the watering hole and that it lies in Phango's cave. The Black Eagle also reveals that Phango murdered his clan, as revenge for being rejected when he was a cub, due to him being born with one eye blind, which gave him a keener sense of smell to be a better hunter. Unbeknownst to Khumba, the reason Phango is hunting him because of an ancient leopard myth that foretold the birth of a half-striped zebra, and the leopard that ate the zebra will be the most powerful hunter. Seko is remorseful that he has let his herd down. With Tombi’s help, he realizes that if he does not lead his herd in search of another waterhole, they will all die. He follows the trail of Phango.
Tensions between Khumba, Mama V, and Bradley escalate as they move on. While slaking their thirst at a well on an abandoned farm, they are driven away by Nora, a loony, solitary [[Merino]] who lost her husband to Phango, and Khumba reveals that the watering hole is in Phango's cave. The trio has an argument and a fall-out and Khumba continues on alone. Lost and delirious in a [[Salt pan (geology)|saltpan]], Khumba is rescued by the same gemsbok healer that he tried to help and wanders the remaining distance to the mountain, and Phango's lair. Meanwhile, Phango intercepts Mama V and Bradley and discovers that Khumba is fortuitously heading straight to him and returns to his cave. Concerned for Khumba's safety, Mama V and Bradley decide to intercede and warn him. Meanwhile, determined to find the waterhole and get his stripes, Khumba ventures into the leopard's lair. At the same time, Seko and the zebras journey to Phango's lair where they are joined by the springbok herd, the animals from Ying's National Park (all except the pangolin), the rock hyraxes, Skalk (who left his pack due to "creative differences"), and Nora (who was let out of the farm by Skalk).


While Khumba wanders the depths of the dark cave, his herd arrives at the base of the mountain, along with many of the other animals he has encountered along his journey. Within the cave, Khumba finds the watering hole and upon reflecting on his mother's words and all of the interactions he has had, he realizes that diversity is essential for survival that would be one's difference that can, in fact, be one's strength. As Phango closes in, he ends up chasing after Khumba. Khumba races to escape his clutches as the cave starts to collapse. Part of the cliff gives way which forms a water hole outside Phango's cave. The assembled animals watch the fight between Khumba and Phango, which results in both of them falling due to the collapsing cave. Phango falls off the cliff where he is killed by two large rocks falling on him, while Khumba falls into the water and his body washes up on the shores. As it starts to rain, everyone begins to mourn Khumba until he suddenly awakens from his apparent death. As Khumba gets up, Tombi notices the scratch marks that Phango left on his right side during the fight.
While Khumba wanders the depths of the dark cave, his herd arrives at the base of the mountain, along with many of the other animals he has encountered along his journey. Within the cave, Khumba finds the watering hole and upon reflecting on his mother's words and all of the interactions he has had, he realizes that diversity is essential for survival that would be one's difference that can, in fact, be one's strength. As Phango closes in, he ends up chasing after Khumba. Khumba races to escape his clutches as the cave starts to collapse. The assembled animals watch the fight between Khumba and Phango, which results in both of them falling due to the collapsing cave. Phango falls off the cliff where he is killed by two large rocks falling on him, while Khumba falls into the water and his body washes up on the shores. As it starts to rain, everyone begins to mourn Khumba until he suddenly awakens from his apparent death.


With Phango dead and the zebra herd now having a new home, Khumba celebrates with his herd, Mama V, Bradley, Skalk, Nora, the gemsbok herd, the springbok herd, the animals from Ying's National Park, and the rock hyraxes, who all now live together and engage in different activities around the waterfall.
With Phango dead and the zebra herd now having a new home, Khumba celebrates with his herd, Mama V, Bradley, Skalk, Nora, the gemsbok herd, the springbok herd, the animals from Ying's National Park, and the rock hyraxes, who all now live together and engage in different activities around the waterfall.


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Jake T. Austin]] as Khumba, a young [[plains zebra]] with half the stripes.
* [[Jake T. Austin]] as Khumba, a half-striped [[plains zebra]]
* [[Loretta Devine]] as Mama V, a [[wildebeest]] and "a kind of maternal mother".
* [[Loretta Devine]] as Mama V, a [[black wildebeest]]
* [[Richard E. Grant]] as Bradley, a British accented frantic [[common ostrich]] who was adopted by Mama V.
* [[Richard E. Grant]] as Bradley, a British-accented [[ostrich]]
* [[AnnaSophia Robb]] as Tombi, a plains zebra who is Khumba's best friend and love interest.
* [[AnnaSophia Robb]] as Tombi, Khumba's closest friend
* [[Liam Neeson]] as Phango, a half-blind [[African leopard]] with an almost-super natural sense of smell.
* [[Liam Neeson]] as Phango, a half-blind [[african leopard]] who desires to eat Khumba
* [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Seko, a plains zebra who is Khumba's father.
* [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Seko, Khumba's father.
* [[Anika Noni Rose]] as Lungisa, a plains zebra who is Khumba's mother.
* [[Anika Noni Rose]] as Lungisa, Khumba's mother.
* [[Steve Buscemi]] as Skalk, a quirky, opportunistic [[African wild dog]].
* [[Steve Buscemi]] as Skalk, an opportunistic [[African wild dog]].
* [[Catherine Tate]] as Nora, an English accented [[Merino]] that resides at an abandoned farm
* [[Catherine Tate]] as Nora, a neurotic Merino sheep who lives on an abandoned farm
* [[Ben Vereen]] as Mkhulu, a plains zebra who is the leader of his herd.
* [[Ben Vereen]] as Mkhulu, the eldest of the zebras.
* [[Charlie Adler]] as:
* [[Charlie Adler]] as:
** [[Rock hyrax|Rock Hyrax]] Leader
** [[Rock hyrax|Rock Hyrax]] Leader
Line 83: Line 75:
** Rock Hyrax Chorus
** Rock Hyrax Chorus
* [[Jeff Bennett]] as:
* [[Jeff Bennett]] as:
** [[Riverine rabbit|Riverine Rabbit]], an Australian accented endangered [[riverine rabbit]] who befriend Khumba in Ying's Wildlife Park.
** [[Riverine rabbit|Riverine Rabbit]]
** Elder #3
** Elder #3
* Mason Charles as Meerkat #2
* Mason Charles as Meerkat #2
* [[Kat Cressida]] as Cheerleader Plains Zebra #1
* [[Kat Cressida]] as Cheerleader Zebra #1
* [[Jennifer Cody]] as Fifi, a plains zebra who is Zuki's best friend Themba's girlfriend, Tombi's friend and cheerleader.
* [[Jennifer Cody]] as Fifi, Zuki's best friend Themba's girlfriend, and cheerleader.
* [[Greg Ellis (actor)|Greg Ellis]] as
* [[Greg Ellis (actor)|Greg Ellis]] as
** Thabo, a plains zebra who is Tombi and Themba's father and Seko's best friend.
** Thabo, Tombi and Themba's father.
** Elder #1
** Elder #1
* [[Roger L. Jackson]] as:
* [[Roger L. Jackson]] as:
** The Black Eagle, an albino [[black eagle]] who directs Khumba to a water hole.
** A [[Black eagle]] who directs Khumba to the water hole.
** Walkie Talkie Voice
** Walkie Talkie Voice
* [[Juanita Jennings]] as Zuki, a plains zebra, who is Mkhulu's future mate and Fifi's best friend.
* [[Juanita Jennings]] as Zuki, Fifi's best friend.
* [[Phil LaMarr]] as Elder #2
* [[Phil LaMarr]] as Elder #2
* Hope Levy as Cheerleader Plains Zebra #2
* Hope Levy as Cheerleader Zebra #2
* [[Sindiwe Magona]] as Gemsbok Healer, who is leader of her herd who helped by Khumba to give her some water.
* [[Sindiwe Magona]] as Gemsbok Healer, who is leader of her herd who helped by Khumba to give her some water.
* Anele Matoto as Gemsbok #2
* Anele Matoto as Gemsbok #2
Line 104: Line 96:
** African Wild Dog #2
** African Wild Dog #2
** Rock Hyrax Chorus
** Rock Hyrax Chorus
* [[Alexander Polinsky]] as Nigel, a plains zebra.
* [[Alexander Polinsky]] as Nigel, a bucktoothed zebra.
* Nik Rabinowitz as:
* Nik Rabinowitz as:
** Frikkie, a springbok.
** Frikkie, a springbok.
** Percy, a springbok
** Percy, a springbok
* [[Joey Richter]] as Themba, a plains zebra, who is Tombi's brother, Thabo's son and Fifi's boyfriend.
* [[Joey Richter]] as Themba, Tombi's brother, Thabo's son and Fifi's boyfriend.
* [[Sam Riegel]] as Jock, a plains zebra.
* [[Sam Riegel]] as Jock, a zebra.
* Adrian Rhodes as Mantis, praying mantis who draw map for Khumba for magic water hole.
* Adrian Rhodes as Mantis,
* [[Stephanie Sheh]] as Cheerleader Zebra #2
* [[Stephanie Sheh]] as Cheerleader Zebra #2
* Matthew Dylan Roberts as:
* Matthew Dylan Roberts as:
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| alt =
| alt =
| released = 1 December 2013
| released = 1 December 2013
| recorded = 2012-2013
| recorded = 2012–2013
| venue =
| venue =
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack]], [[Pop music|Pop]]
| genre = [[Film soundtrack]], [[Pop music|pop]]
| length = 45:18
| length = 45:18
| label = labelzero.com
| label = labelzero.com
Line 227: Line 219:
[[Category:South African animated films]]
[[Category:South African animated films]]
[[Category:Afrikaans-language films]]
[[Category:Afrikaans-language films]]
[[Category:Works about zebras]]
[[Category:Animated films about zebras]]
[[Category:Animated films about father–son relationships]]
[[Category:Animated films about father–son relationships]]
[[Category:Animated films about sheep]]
[[Category:Animated films about sheep]]
[[Category:Best Animation Africa Movie Academy Award winners]]
[[Category:Best Animation Africa Movie Academy Award winners]]
[[Category:Animated films set in Africa]]
[[Category:Animated films set in South Africa]]
[[Category:Animated films about cats]]
[[Category:Animated films about cats]]
[[Category:Animated films about dogs]]
[[Category:Animated films about dogs]]
Line 241: Line 233:
[[Category:South African adventure comedy films]]
[[Category:South African adventure comedy films]]
[[Category:2010s English-language films]]
[[Category:2010s English-language films]]
[[Category:Films set in South Africa]]
[[Category:English-language adventure comedy films]]
[[Category:2010s South African films]]

Revision as of 16:58, 1 January 2025

Khumba
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAnthony Silverston
Written by
  • Raffaella Delle Donne
  • Anthony Silverston
Story byAnthony Silverston
Produced by
  • Stuart Forrest
  • Mike Buckland
  • Jean-Michel Koenig
  • James Middleton
  • Anthony Silverston
Starring
Edited byLuke MacKay
Music byBruce Retief
Production
company
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 8 September 2013 (2013-09-08) (TIFF)
  • 25 October 2013 (2013-10-25) (South Africa)
Running time
85 minutes
CountrySouth Africa
LanguagesEnglish
Afrikaans
Budget$20 million[1]
Box office$28.42 million[2]

Khumba is a 2013 South African animated comedy film directed and co-produced by Anthony Silverston and written by Silverston and Raffaella Delle Donne. The film stars the voices of Jake T. Austin, Steve Buscemi, Loretta Devine, Laurence Fishburne, Richard E. Grant, AnnaSophia Robb, Anika Noni Rose, Catherine Tate, Ben Vereen, and Liam Neeson. It is the second movie made by Triggerfish Animation Studios[3] and is distributed by Millennium Entertainment in the US. The international distribution rights are being licensed by Cinema Management Group.[4] The film is about Khumba, a zebra who is half-striped like a quagga and is blamed for the lack of rain throughout the land by most of his herd. He embarks on a quest to earn his missing stripes.

The film was dedicated in memory of The Quagga Breeding Project founder Reinhold Rau, who died on February 11, 2006. Rau was known for efforts to use selective-breeding to recreate the extinct quagga, a close relative of the plains zebra. The film premiered at the TIFF on September 8, 2013, and was released on 25 October 2013 by Indigenous Film Distribution. Khumba received mixed reviews from critics and was a box office disappointment, only grossing $28.4 million worldwide against a $20 million budget.[5]

Plot

In Great Karoo, Khumba is born half-striped to an all-striped zebra herd. He is raised by his mother Lungisa and his father Seko, the herd's leader. Khumba is blamed for a drought and is ostracized by the herd, except for Tombi, a female zebra who is also his best friend. Like Khumba, Tombi also feels out of place in the herd because of her tomboyish attitude.

A mantis inspires Khumba by drawing a striated map locating water. Khumba admits a group of gemsboks into the watering-hole and is punished. A leopard named Phango warns Mkhulu that the herd must leave to find water.

Lungisa tells the story of how the first zebras were plain white. One day, a brave young zebra journeyed across the Karoo, and discovered a magic water hole in a cave. After swimming in the water, the young zebra came out with stripes. The other zebras swam in the magic water and also received stripes.

Khumba ventures out and encounters an African wild dog named Skalk. A maternal wildebeest named Mama V saves him from trouble, accompanied by an ostrich named Bradley. As the three search for water, Bradley reveals that he was almost sent to death in a slaughterhouse. Khumba aids a migrating herd of springbok in opening a hole in a great fence to continue journeying forward.

Khumba's group wanders into a bohemian community of animals living in Ying's National Park. After narrowly escaping capture by park rangers who tranquilize Bradley and trap Khumba in a cage, Khumba and his friends ascend a nearby mountain to speak to the Black Eagle.

Khumba encounters a group of rock hyraxes who worship the Black Eagle and stymie his advance. From the albino Black Eagle, he learns the way to the watering hole and that it lies in Phango's cave. The Black Eagle also reveals that Phango murdered his clan, as revenge for being rejected when he was a cub, due to him being born with one eye blind, which gave him a keener sense of smell to be a better hunter. Unbeknownst to Khumba, the reason Phango is hunting him because of an ancient leopard myth that foretold the birth of a half-striped zebra, and the leopard that ate the zebra will be the most powerful hunter. Seko is remorseful that he has let his herd down. With Tombi’s help, he realizes that if he does not lead his herd in search of another waterhole, they will all die. He follows the trail of Phango.

While Khumba wanders the depths of the dark cave, his herd arrives at the base of the mountain, along with many of the other animals he has encountered along his journey. Within the cave, Khumba finds the watering hole and upon reflecting on his mother's words and all of the interactions he has had, he realizes that diversity is essential for survival that would be one's difference that can, in fact, be one's strength. As Phango closes in, he ends up chasing after Khumba. Khumba races to escape his clutches as the cave starts to collapse. The assembled animals watch the fight between Khumba and Phango, which results in both of them falling due to the collapsing cave. Phango falls off the cliff where he is killed by two large rocks falling on him, while Khumba falls into the water and his body washes up on the shores. As it starts to rain, everyone begins to mourn Khumba until he suddenly awakens from his apparent death.

With Phango dead and the zebra herd now having a new home, Khumba celebrates with his herd, Mama V, Bradley, Skalk, Nora, the gemsbok herd, the springbok herd, the animals from Ying's National Park, and the rock hyraxes, who all now live together and engage in different activities around the waterfall.

Cast

Jon Olson provides the vocal effects of additional animals.

Release

The film was released in cinemas in South Africa on 25 October 2013, and was released on DVD on 11 February 2014. The film also premiered at the TIFF on 8 September 2013.

Soundtrack

Khumba: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by
Various Artists
Released1 December 2013
Recorded2012–2013
GenreFilm soundtrack, pop
Length45:18
Labellabelzero.com
ProducerBruce Retief, Ebrahim Mallum, David Langemann, Ashley Valentine

The original motion picture soundtrack for Khumba was written, composed, produced and orchestrated by Bruce Retief with additional music composed by Zwai Bala. Songs for the soundtrack were all written by Retief are performed by various artists, including Loyiso Bala, Heavenly Quartez, the Karoo Children's Choir, and Richard E. Grant. It was released on 1 December 2013 through labelzero.com, and is available on iTunes[6] and Amazon.[7]

Notes

  • "The Real Me", with Retief, was additionally written by Loyiso Bala. It was programmed and produced by Ebrahim Mallum, with additional production from Retief, David Langemann, and Ashley Valentine.
  • "Sulila" was produced by Retief.
  • "Karoo Montage", performed by the Karoo Children's Choir, was produced by Retief, but the song was not put in the official soundtrack for several reasons.
  • "Ostracized" was produced by Retief with additional brass orchestration handled by Lucien Lewin.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 44% based on 18 reviews.[5] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 40 out of 100 based on reviews from 6 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[8]

Accolades

Award Category Recipient Result
Zanzibar International Film Festival Best Animation[9] Anthony Silverston Won
Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Animation[10] Anthony Silverston Won
SAFTAs 2014[11] Best Music Composition of a Feature Film Bruce Retief Won
Best Animation Triggerfish Animation Won
Gold Panda Awards Best Overseas Animated Feature Triggerfish Animation Won
Grand Prize for Animation Triggerfish Animation Won
Annecy Animation Festival 2013 Best Feature[12] Anthony Silverston Nominated
Stuttgart Animation Festival Animovie[13] Anthony Silverston Nominated

References

  1. ^ Mallory, Michael (15 November 2013). "Khumba Earns Its Stripes". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 8 March 2014. Khumba was made for less (some whisper considerably less) than $20 million, roughly the P&A cost of a big-studio toon feature.
  2. ^ "Khumba (2013)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  3. ^ "The Film Catalogue". Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  4. ^ "CMG Closes Three Major Territories on 'Khumba'". Animation Magazine. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Khumba (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  6. ^ Khumba - Original Soundtrack on iTunes. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  7. ^ Khumba - Original Soundtrack on Amazon. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  8. ^ "Khumba". Metacritic. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  9. ^ ZIFF 2014 : THE WINNERS | Zanzibar International Film Festival
  10. ^ Triggerfish Takes Top Animation Prize at Africa Movie Academy Awards
  11. ^ "All the 2014 Safta winners". Channel. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  12. ^ AlloCine. "Palmares : Festival du Film d'Animation d'Annecy 2013 : récompenses, nominations". AlloCiné (in French). Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  13. ^ "21. International Festival of Animated Film Stuttgart 2014 - Competition 2014". www.itfs.de. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
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