In 2012, jihadists took control of northern Mali. They imposed one of the strictest interpretations of sharia law in history. On August 12th they banned music - radio stations destroyed, instruments burned and musicians facing torture, even death. Overnight, Mali’s most revered members of society – the musicians – were forced into hiding or exile. This film follows Mali’s musicians as they fight to keep music alive in their country. We witness fierce battles between the army and the jihadists, capture life over borders at refugee camps where money and hope are scarce, follow perilous journeys home to war ravaged cities, and for one band, Songhoy Blues, their path to international stardom.
Genre: Music, Documentary
Stars: Aliou Touré, Oumar Touré, Garba Touré, Nathanael Dembélé, Khaira Arby
Crew: Johanna Schwartz (Director), Sarah Mosses (Producer), Kat Amara Korba (Producer), Johanna Schwartz (Producer), Guy Creasey (Editor), Andrea Carnevali (Editor)
Country: Mali, United Kingdom
Language: Bamanankan, English, Français
Studio: Together Films, Mojo Musique, Spring Films, Splice Post
Runtime: 105 minutes
Quality: HD
Released: Oct 13, 2015
IMDb: 4.8
Keywords:woman director
