One of the highlights of last year’s London Film Festival was Abderrahmane Sissako’s modern classic ‘Timbuktu’, depicting the occupation of Mali’s northern city by Islamic fundamentalists and the damage it caused to the local way of life. This year the festival’s sonic strand has a worthy companion in Johanna Schwarzt’s notable debut feature.
The Jihadis’ extreme application of sharia law involved a ban on all kinds of music, which they dismiss as the work of Satan. Their rule forced performers to an exile in the southern regions or in neighbouring countries and deprived an area formerly enjoying one of Africa’s richest folk traditions from an integral part of its cultural heritage.
Quoting a sentence by young singer Fatimata “Disco” Oumarr in its title, this documentary is an account of her fate and that of several other artists; among them, veteran legend Khaira Arby; guitar player Moussa Sidi or acclaimed band Songhoy Blues. Their tales are different but linked by the common mission of making their music heard and give a voice to the people standing up against the oppression.
The story of Songhoy Blues, a band comprised by refugees, is one of international success. They have joined an illustrious list of renowned Malian musicians, from Ali Farka Touré to Salif Keita, that have been influencing generations of western counterparts -some of which such as Brian Eno; Damon Albarn or the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Nick Zinner, who composed the film’s memorable score, also appear briefly. But it’s the two female singers, Disco and Khaira, who deliver the most affecting part of the film through their respective accounts of the obstacles they encountered trying to perform in Timbuktu again.
Shedding new light on Mali’s current situation as well as capturing the vibrant beauty of the place and its sounds, ‘They will have to kill us first’ won the best new rock documentary award in the last edition of SXSW. ★★★★
