TOPOWA! NEVER GIVE UP

The main subjects of the band that audiences get a closer look at include trombone player Julius, who dreams of joining the British Army Corps of Music and meeting his hero, Wynton. There is Sumayya, Uganda's best female tuba player, and Tadeo, who lost his limbs at an early age, and Ivan, the dummer. There are insights into slum life, the charity, the music festival, army auditions, and for almost all of these musicians, leaving Uganda for the first time. Each one of these stories alone could have been their own documentary, but part of the wonder and joy of 'TOPOWA!' is that despite all the various angles, Sansom and Gilmore are able to blend them together seamlessly to present a documentary that is sure to leave you smiling.

So often a documentary will focus on a subject's struggles and hurdles, and leave the joy until the conclusion - but not 'TOPOWA!' Following the band while focussing on a few main characters, the documentary flows with a positive energy and rhythm throughout, emblematic of the spirit these brilliant musicians carry with them every day. Make no mistake, their lives are difficult, all coming from broken homes in one way or another. But they are now all presented with an opportunity and a framework to develop themselves not only as musicians, but as good people.

Sansom & Gilmore don't shy away from the grittiness of their surroundings, and it becomes all too clear that these musicians are certainly not coming from paradise. Although you wouldn't know it talking to them of course, as their faces beam in delight whenever they are given the chance to talk, their smiles as infectious as the mosquitos they swat. Music is everything to them, and you will rarely see any of them not grasping on to their instruments for dear life. It is their symbol of hope, their ticket to a brighter tomorrow, their freedom to express.

There is not much conflict in the film, although I found myself feeling extremely nervous when Sumayya is waiting for her passport, or when four of the guys audition to be part of the British army band. It's a credit to the filmmakers, who were able to capture the heart of the band so vividly that as a viewer, I could not help but ride every emotion the band are going through.

It's said Africa taught the rest of the world rhythm, and 'TOPOWA!' certainly shows plenty of that. Radiating with positive energy and backed by excellent production value, viewers will be forgiven for jumping out of their seats and leaning into the beat. The band essentially the score this film, showcasing their talents not only as musicians, but as symbols of hope. The word "topowa" means to "never give up", and what a magnificent and ever-relevant lesson we can take from that.