Synopsis
MALI BLUES tells the story of four female and male musicians from the West African countryof Mali, who espouse with their music a tolerant Islam and a country at peace.
The West African country of Mali is considered the birthplace of the blues and jazz, brought later by abducted slaves to America’s cotton fields. For centuries music has strengthened Mali’s cultural identity, musicians are holding strong positions in society. Following Fatoumata Diawara, shooting star of the global pop scene, MALI BLUES is a musical journey, discovering the country’s rich musical culture and it’s threat by radical Islamists. On our way we meet other committed musicians, who are fighting for unity and the freedom to express themselves through their music, like world famous Ngoni player and traditional Griot Bassekou Kouyaté, street rapper Master Soumy and Tuareg band leader Ahmed Ag Kaedi.
A beautiful and soulful doc with mesmerizing sound and music.
– Katie O’Connor, Toronto Film Scene
A colourful, vivid look at Fatou’s complicated history with her home, Mali Blues is both a triumph for Fatou and for Mali’s music traditions.
– Jesse Kinos-Goodin, CBC Music