LOS ANGELES — Whitney Houston’s landmark concert, performed in South Africa after the historic election of President Nelson Mandela, will hit theaters this fall.
Houston’s 1994 performance has been transformed into a fully remastered theatrical release titled “The Concert for a New South Africa,” according to a statement released Tuesday by Houston’s estate, Sony Music Entertainment and several partners, including Trafalgar Releasing.
The limited theatrical screenings will begin on Oct. 23 and will feature the late singer’s never-before-released show from Durban, South Africa. The project will precede a new live album, “The Concert for a New South Africa,” which will be released on Nov. 8.
“She loved South Africa; she loved the people, and she loved Nelson Mandela,” said Pat Houston, the singer’s sister-in-law and executor of the Houston estate, who is executive producing the concert film. “This concert is one of the most important concerts of her career. On this important 30th anniversary, we are thrilled that we can release this film not only for her fans, but for the people of South Africa and its new generations.”
In 1994, Houston performed three concerts in South Africa, including at Durban’s Kings Park Stadium, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. Her performances took place across the newly unified post-apartheid nation following Mandela’s historic election victory.
Over 200,000 people attended the event, a celebration of freedom, hope, and unity. Proceeds from his concerts benefit several local South African children’s charities through his foundation.
Houston’s performance has been remastered in 4K video for the film, with enhanced audio. The concert film will be shown in nearly 900 theaters in over 25 countries.
“This was my first tour in South Africa, and I don’t think I was fully prepared for how this trip would change me forever,” said Rickey Minor, a three-time Emmy winner and Houston’s music director for 25 years. “The energy was amazing, and the audience was incredible, because we were celebrating the end of apartheid. Whitney shared her love and spread her light.”
Earlier that year, Houston won three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for “The Bodyguard” soundtrack. She also won Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the big hit “I Will Always Love You.”
Houston was one of the world’s best-selling artists, with her smooth, powerful voice rooted in the Black church, but she also endeared herself to people with her pop persona. She sold more than 200 million records worldwide during her 25-year career and won six Grammys, 16 Billboard Music Awards and two Emmys before her death in 2012.
Houston’s live album will include some of her greatest hits – “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”, “How Will I Know”, “I Have Nothing” and “Greatest Love of All”. It will also include the unreleased track “Love Is”.
“The message of hope and unity from the Durban, South Africa performance is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago,” said Mark Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing. “Fans will be stunned to see how powerful it is on the big screen.”
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