Film tips week 36
Kosmorama recommends quality films for the week. You can catch these titles either on the big screen or on various streaming services!
Soundtrack to a Coup D'etat
Where: Trondheim Kino
We are in the 1960s in Congo, where Patrice Lumumba has become the first prime minister following independence from Belgian colonial rule. The liberation has led to political unrest, and control over the country's natural resources is at stake. With jazz musicians as their weapons, the United States sends its biggest stars to calm the situation—but it is merely a distraction. Behind the scenes, a CIA-backed coup is underway. Lumumba’s attempt to create a united and independent republic is short-lived. A coup d’état and his subsequent assassination plunge the country—and Africa—into crisis.
The film features a long list of well-known musicians, including Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Abbey Lincoln, John Coltrane, and Duke Ellington, as well as political figures like 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 strong influence and rhythm of jazz.
© Fjong Film
Buena Vista Social Club (35mm)
Where: Cinemateket Trondheim
Armed with very simple digital cameras and a curious drive, Wim Wenders headed to a Cuba that had just opened up to the West to meet elderly musicians. The result was a film that kick-started an entire trend, with numerous music releases from several of the Cuban musicians—some of them well into old age—as a pleasant side effect.
Buena Vista Social Club is a documentary about an old band in Cuba, which Ry Cooder tries to reunite in a recording studio and later for concerts. As the film strolls along at a relaxed pace, we get to know Cuba a little better, especially Havana. The encounter between Ry Cooder and the musicians bears great fruit, and the enthusiasm we see on screen is the real thing.
It is a wonderfully unpretentious and laid-back documentary classic, full of charm, warmth, and great music.
© Road Movies Filmproduktion
Brev til Håkon Banken
Hvor: strømming
Håkon Banken (1949-2018) is a distinctive figure in Norwegian music history. This modest country and dance band musician sold over half a million cassette tapes and was highly popular in the 70s and 80s. However, his life was also marked by anxiety and depression. He almost never performed live and rarely gave interviews.
This documentary film is based on fan mail that the cult musician received from people who were touched by his music. The song lyrics shed light on mental health at a time when it was seldom discussed. Many felt that Banken spoke directly to their hearts and articulated the challenges they faced.
© Trad Film
