This film was released on Friday 30th October 2015 and is no longer screening. 

EXCLUSIVELY AT IFI†

Following the infiltration of jihadist militias in 2012, all music was banned in Northern Mali. Radio stations were destroyed, instruments burned and professional musicians were faced with torture, and even death. Internationally recognised talents became exiles in their own country, fleeing Timbuktu for the Southern city of Bamako. Many crossed the border into Burkina Faso, where they still reside.

Picking up the threads of a disparate group of artists in exile, and providing detailed context for their situation, Johanna Schwartz’s film documents their efforts to ply their trade in however-compromised form. And how can they not? As singer Khaira puts it, “music is like oxygen for human beings.” The success of one such group, Songhoy Blues, who formed in exile and have recently been signed to a major label, is a beacon of hope in Schwartz’s powerful film. Notes by David O’Mahony

SONGHOY BLUES AT WHELAN’S

Songhoy Blues, featured in this film, will perform live at Whelan’s, Dublin, on October 21st.
For more info and tickets, see www.whelanslive.com

Don’t forget we now schedule weekly.