Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat

Johan Grimonprez België 2024 150 min.

1961. The Belgian and American governments join forces to maintain their power in Congo. In the aftermath of the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the CIA deploys jazz artists as a distraction from Western interference in post-colonial African politics. Against the backdrop of the Cold War, jazz and decolonization thus become inextricably linked.

PREVIOUS EDITIONS

DOCVILLE 2024
Artist in focus Johan Grimonprez
Nationale selectie

Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat contains a wealth of archival material: from audio memoirs of Nikita Khrushchev, to excerpts of Andrée Blouin, a forgotten pioneer of female emancipation and independence in Africa. This powerful film about jazz as a secret weapon won the Special Jury Award for Cinematic Innovation at the prestigious Sundance film festival.