Disney’s December blockbuster ‘Moana’ hits cinemas this Friday and today, Disney announced that they tapped local songstress Lira to record a local version of the film’s hit track ‘How Far I’ll Go’ which will be featured in the film’s local release as the first end-credit song. The song will also be made available for download from the South African iTunes store from the 9th of December.
The song was written by Tony, Emmy and Grammy-winning artist Lin-Manuel Miranda who says that the song is the perfect addition to the film as “This is Moana’s chance to say for herself how she feels and where she belongs.”
Lira also identifies with the song and is excited to record her own version for the film. How Far I’ll Go beautifully encapsulates the elements of Moana that resonate with me, to break away from conformity, to be bold, go out and discover what makes you uniquely you,” says Lira. “It’s a real honour to be involved! Also, the fact that Disney is able to incorporate and feature African voices in projects such as this, is truly exciting.”
Christine Service, Senior Vice President and Country Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa can’t think of a better local performer to add an African flair to this song. “We are delighted that Lira has lent her world-class talent and distinctively beautiful voice to How Far I’ll Go”, she says. “Bringing her voice to the cinematic release of Moana adds a wonderful local dimension to this universal story of finding one’s true self. We are thrilled to be able to collaborate with Lira to bring this unique recording to South African families.”
Moana tells the story of an adventurous teenager who is inspired to leave the safety and security of her island on a daring journey to save her people. Inexplicably drawn to the ocean, Moana, voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho, convinces the mighty demigod Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, to join her mission, and he reluctantly helps her become a wayfinder like her ancestors who sailed before her. Together, they voyage across the open ocean on an action-packed adventure, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfils her quest and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity.
This is Disney’s 56th animated production and arrives at theatres everywhere from Friday the 2nd of December 2016.
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