The movie
Soundtrack to a Coup d’État
Johan Grimonprez’s involving film, anchored by the rhythm of American jazz, reveals disturbing truths about the decolonial struggle between global political powers.
Length: 150 min
Country: België, Frankrijk
Language spoken: Engels, Russisch, Frans, Nederlands
Language subtitles: Nederlands
Cast:
Director: Johan Grimonprez
Release date: 21/11/2024
Description
Set during the final months of Patrice Lumumba’s life, Grimonprez’s film forensically investigates the incendiary politics of the nascent Democratic Republic of Congo in 1960. In doing so, the filmmaker draws fascinating connections between post-war jazz, US imperialism and the Pan-African decolonisation movement. Staccato beats and syncopation are the guiding principles of this hypnotic and harrowing film essay.
Reviews
"superb study of how jazz got caught between the cold war and the CIA”
