Ethiopiques - Revolt of the Soul is a very interesting film, particularly when viewed after Under African Skies. The film documents the rise, fall and redemption of a group of spectacular Ethiopian Jazz musicians who, in the swinging 1960s, ignited an explosive cultural revolution in Addis Ababa. Their music was sublime but the film suggests that this golden era was brought to an end by the military regime that took over the country, and that many of the musicians were forced into exile or jail.
Now, after many years, they are back on a world stage, making up for lost time and still swinging. The film follows the inspirational figures whose amazing life stories illustrate music's power of redemption in the face of war and heartbreak.
The cast list includes:
Francis Falceto, Amha Eschete, Girma Beyene, Michael Alazar, Melake Gebre, Moges Habte, Alemayehu Eshete, Anais Prosaic, Jean Jacques Palix, Mahmoud Ahmed, Fasil Wuhib, Sayem Osman, Melaku Belay, Elvis Costello, Jim Thomson, Johnathan Sheba, Brendan Canty, Badume's Band, and Akale Wube.
Directed by Maciej Bochniak, 2017. Running time 70 mins.
Another amazing documentary! For those who weren't lucky enough to see the film in June 2019 at the Songlines Encounters Festival, together with the incredible performance by Girma Beyene and French Ethio-jazz group Akale Wube, then don't miss this!
Free to watch via the Ethiopian Old Musics Facebook page.
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