Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Liyana (2017)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

Liyana
Liyana is a documentary film directed and produced by Aaron Kopp and Amanda Kopp, focusing on a group of Swazi orphans. Under the guidance of South African author Gcina Mhlope, these children create a narrative based on their own experiences. The film features a fictional character named Liyana, who embarks on a quest to rescue her younger twin brothers from kidnapping, accompanied by her pet bull. The storytelling is interwoven with animated sequences that depict Liyana's adventures, providing a unique blend of live action and animation. Premiering at the 2017 LA Film Festival, Liyana was released in the United States on October 10, 2018. The film received positive reviews, winning the Best Documentary Feature award at the 2017 LAFF and other festival accolades. With a runtime of 77 minutes, it presents a moving narrative that reflects the realities faced by orphaned children in Swaziland while also celebrating their creativity and imagination.

Why Watch

  • •Meet the orphans creating their own narrative.
  • •Follow Liyana's quest to save her brothers.
  • •See animated scenes mixed with real-life stories.

Did You Know

•Liyana won the Best Documentary Feature award at the 2017 LA Film Festival.
•The film holds a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 41 reviews.
•Liyana was released in the United States on October 10, 2018.
•The film has a weighted average score of 80 out of 100 on Metacritic.

Perfect For

Documentary enthusiastsFans of animated storytellingAdvocates for children's rights