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Germany, Mali · 2016
1h 30m
Director Lutz Gregor
Starring
Genre
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This documentary tells the story of four musicians in Mali, ranging from a ngoni player to a rapper, who make music in the face of the takeover of much of the country by Islamic fundamentalist forces. The film showcases the music of Mali and shows how artists respond to repression and conflict.
Village Voice by Alan Scherstuhl
First-time feature director Gregor never imposes a narrative arc on his subjects; instead, we meet them, hear their hopes and their fears, and then savor performances of singular beauty, power, and invention.
While the film lavishes in the beautiful landscape and the vibrant, eclectic music that abounds, it never coalesces into anything greater than the sum of its parts, or become the film the subject deserves.
The New York Times by Glenn Kenny
Despite the urgency of the situation the musicians face, when they’re not doing their work, the movie is quiet, observant, taking in the austere beauty of the land and the people.
Los Angeles Times by Kenneth Turan
Music documentaries are thick on the land, and political ones are numerous as well, but Mali Blues is different in that it artfully combines hypnotic music with definite societal concerns.
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See the music. Hear the dance.
Is it better to speak or die?
You gotta go low to get high.