Liyana

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2:00

Liyana

2018

1h 17m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

A Swazi girl embarks on a dangerous mission to save her twin brothers.

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Critics Consensus

Empowering children to share their experiences, Liyana amplifies marginalized voices and iterates storytelling's healing properties, gifting us a joyful documentary.

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

Apr 9, 2020

Like Abbas Kiarostami's documentary ABC Africa (2001), the result is an unexpectedly joyous film about heavy subjects.

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Karen Han

L.A. Weekly

Oct 22, 2018

If the rule is "show, don't tell," then Liyana is a success.

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Kimber Myers

Los Angeles Times

Oct 18, 2018

The children's stories alone would have been compelling, but illustrating them in this medium adds even more depth, nuance and emotion.

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Betsy Bozdech

AWFJ.org

Oct 11, 2021

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...

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Cate Marquis

AWFJ.org

Oct 11, 2021

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.

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Kip Mooney

College Movie Review

Aug 21, 2021

B

While much of the story is basic Joseph Campbell Hero's Journey stuff, like any story, it's made memorable by its details.

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Annabel B

@RT52426469 Apr 2, 2026

One of the most unique and heartwarming stories I’ve ever watched. The children in it are so brave and the story and animation are so beautiful. I have no idea what kinda of monster could call this movie bad. Those people must be heartless. One of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen.

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Nov 1, 2021

Worse than the worse movie.

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Oct 25, 2021

A little interesting and will pass the time, but that is about it.

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Nov 28, 2019

A true work of art. Beautiful in concept and visually stunning.

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Nov 23, 2019

Inspirational, heartwarming, and visually stunning.

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Nov 18, 2019

absolute fucking shit, not worth you or ur kids time

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Aaron Kopp

Director

Amanda Kopp

Director

Gcina Mhlophe

Actor

Albie Hecht

Executive Producer

Susan MacLaury

Executive Producer

Davis Coombe

Producer

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Liyana: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A Swazi girl embarks on a dangerous mission to save her twin brothers.

Director: Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
Producer: Davis Coombe, Sakheni Dlamini, Daniel Junge, Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
Distributor: Abramorama
Production Co: Doha Film Institute, Intaba Creative, Shine Global
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.1K
Runtime: 1h 17m

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