Soundtrack to a coup d’etat

The liberation has brought political unrest, and control over the country’s natural resources is at stake. With jazz musicians as a weapon, the U.S. sends its biggest stars to calm the situation, but it is merely a distraction. Behind the scenes, a CIA-backed coup is unfolding. Lumumba’s attempt to create a united and independent republic is short-lived. A coup and the subsequent assassination of Lumumba trigger a full crisis in the country—and in Africa. With 16 new African member states, the UN meetings become a platform for Africa's call for decolonization.

The film’s cast is extensive, featuring renowned musicians like Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Abbey Lincoln, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and more. It also includes political leaders, figures, and activists such as Nikita Khrushchev, Dwight Eisenhower, Dag Hammarskjöld, Malcolm X, and Fidel Castro. This eye-opening documentary by Johan Grimonprez delivers a vibrant and energetic story of how power, natural resources, and decolonization collide with the powerful influence and rhythm of jazz.

Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat is presented in collaboration with the International Student Festival in Trondheim (ISFiT). It is also part of our program series Music Film, which is a collaboration with Rockheim - Det nasjonale museet for populærmusikk.