ReMastered: The Lion's Share

Netflix’s ReMastered: The Lion’s Share—The Untold Story Behind the Song That Built an Empire

Few tracks in music history have generated as much wealth—or as much controversy—as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." The 1961 hit, famously covered by The Tokens, has racked up millions in royalties over six decades, yet the family of its original composer, South African musician Solomon Linda, saw almost none of it. Netflix’s ReMastered: The Lion’s Share (2019) dives into this decades-long battle for justice, blending investigative journalism with the raw emotional weight of a family’s fight for recognition. latestnetflix.com's read is that Directed by Sam Cullman, the documentary is part of Netflix’s ReMastered series, which re-examines pivotal moments in music history with a critical eye.

The Director Behind the Lens: Sam Cullman’s Activist Approach

Cullman, born in 1976, isn’t your typical documentarian. His work often zeroes in on social and environmental activism, using film as a tool to expose systemic injustices . The Lion’s Share fits neatly into this mission. The 84-minute documentary doesn’t just recount the legal battles over Linda’s song—it frames them as part of a larger narrative about colonialism, exploitation, and the music industry’s history of profiting off Black artists. Cullman’s background suggests he approached the project with a clear agenda: to hold powerful entities accountable while giving voice to those who’ve been silenced.

The Cast: A Mix of Investigators, Icons, and Archivists

The documentary’s strength lies in its eclectic lineup of interviewees, each offering a unique perspective on the saga:

• Rian Malan: The South African journalist and author of The Lion Sleeps Tonight (the 2000 Rolling Stone article that first brought widespread attention to Linda’s story) serves as the film’s de facto narrator. His deep dive into the song’s origins and the legal battles that followed provides the backbone of the documentary.
• Pete Seeger: The folk legend, who adapted Linda’s original Zulu song "Mbube" into "Wimoweh" in the 1950s, offers rare insight into how the track evolved—and how its profits slipped away from Linda’s family. Seeger’s involvement adds a layer of historical weight, given his own complicated relationship with copyright and folk music traditions.
• Rob Allingham: A former archivist at Gallo Records, South Africa’s oldest record label, Allingham provides insider knowledge about the industry’s role in Linda’s financial struggles. His interviews likely shed light on how record labels exploited artists in the mid-20th century, particularly those from marginalized communities.

Behind the Scenes: What the Trailer Hints At

The official Netflix trailer teases a documentary that’s equal parts legal thriller and emotional family drama. Clips show Linda’s descendants visiting his grave, archival footage of apartheid-era South Africa, and tense moments in courtrooms where the family’s legal team battles for a share of the song’s earnings. The trailer also highlights the song’s cultural ubiquity—heard in Disney’s The Lion King and countless commercials—contrasted with the poverty Linda’s family endured.

What the trailer doesn’t reveal is how the documentary handles the more contentious aspects of the story. For instance:

• Disney’s Role: The film likely explores how Disney’s use of the song in The Lion King (1994) reignited the family’s fight for royalties. While the trailer doesn’t explicitly mention Disney, the timing of the documentary’s release—amid ongoing discussions about cultural appropriation—suggests it may have been a deliberate choice.
• The Legal Battle’s Twists: The trailer hints at courtroom drama, but the specifics of the family’s legal victories (or setbacks) remain unclear. In 2006, Linda’s estate finally reached a settlement with Disney and other rights holders, but the documentary may delve into whether the compensation was fair—or if the fight continues in other forms.
• Seeger’s Complicated Legacy: Seeger’s adaptation of "Mbube" into "Wimoweh" was both a tribute and a misstep. The documentary may explore how his version, while popularizing the song, also contributed to the erasure of Linda’s authorship.

Why This Story Still Resonates

The Lion’s Share isn’t just about one song or one family. It’s a microcosm of the music industry’s long history of exploiting Black artists, from blues and jazz musicians in the early 20th century to hip-hop producers today. The documentary’s release in 2019—amid the #MeToo movement and growing calls for reparations—was likely no coincidence. Cullman’s film forces viewers to confront uncomfortable questions: Who really owns a song? And what does justice look like when the damage spans generations?

The Verdict: A Documentary Worth Streaming

With its mix of investigative rigor and emotional storytelling, ReMastered: The Lion’s Share stands out in Netflix’s ReMastered series. It’s not just a music documentary; it’s a call to action. Whether you’re a fan of folk music, legal dramas, or stories of underdog victories, the film offers a gripping look at how one song became a symbol of both artistic triumph and systemic failure.