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Have you ever seen a documentary that combines history, music, and politics into a mesmerizing visual experience? If not, get ready to be captivated by the impressive film “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat.” Premiering at Sundance’s World Cinema Documentary Competition, this documentary takes a kaleidoscopic lens to the plot against Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of Congo.
A Vibrant Tapestry of Perspectives
Director Johan Grimonprez creates an impressionistic essay film that weaves together historical footage of the UN General Assembly and home movies shot in liberation-era Congo. By incorporating diverse voices and setting the pace to a non-stop rhythm of bebop, rumba, and classic jazz, the film evokes both the excitement of post-colonial possibility and the heartbreak of shattered dreams and violent reprisals that followed.
Grimonprez explains that initially, his intention was to explore the colonial legacy of his own country. However, he became enthralled by the story of Andrée Blouin, an almost forgotten independence leader. Blouin’s connection to Lumumba as his advisor and chief of protocol fascinated the filmmaker. Grimonprez believes that these intimate stories, combined with a broader global picture, offer a unique perspective worth exploring.
Witnessing History Unfold
To paint this broader picture, Grimonprez combines Blouin’s home movies and personal recollections with a chorus of contemporaneous voices and archival sources. The film features prominent figures like Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, U.N. envoy Conor Cruise O’Brien, and Congolese author In Koli Jean Bofane. Yet, what ties everything together is the power of music.
The Music that Shaped a Movement
For Grimonprez, the music in the film becomes a protagonist on its own. He highlights the significant role of jazz in the story. From Louis Armstrong’s presence during the first months of Congolese independence to Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln drawing inspiration from the African independence movement, the influence of jazz is undeniable. Grimonprez reveals that Congolese merchants brought rumba back from Cuba, where Congolese slaves had helped shape the music centuries before. Ultimately, jazz represents the reinvention of a global sense of belonging.
However, the film also takes a caustic view regarding the use of America’s jazz greats as subterfuge for CIA plots. Grimonprez exposes the ways in which these musicians were unwittingly involved in efforts to overthrow Lumumba. He points out the irony of jazz ambassadors’ visits often preceding a coup, such as Dizzy Gillespie’s trip to Syria in 1956 and Duke Ellington’s concert in Iraq in 1963, which coincided with that year’s coup.
Grimonprez finds delight in these contradictions, stating that they reveal the truth. He intentionally incorporates these contradictions into the film’s design, playing with tone and soundtrack against the visuals. By investigating the footage’s underlying codes and turning them upside down, he offers a thought-provoking and multi-layered experience.
“Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” is a documentary that challenges traditional narratives and invites viewers to explore the complexities of history, music, and politics. Don’t miss this mesmerizing journey that combines the personal and the global, leaving audiences with a deeper understanding of the world we live in.
Find out more about “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” on F5mag.com.
Source: Variety