“Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” focuses on the futile attempt to attain veritable independence of the Belgian colony of the Congo led by Patrice Lumumba. The Democratic Republic of Congo with Lumumba as its first prime minister negotiated its independence from Belgium on 30June1960. But was it truly independence?
The assassination of Lumumba in early 1961 at the hands of rival Mobuto is illustrative there is more to independence than a name. Assassinated locally but assisted and encouraged by Belgium and the United States with heavy CIA involvement. Mobuto had 36 years of dictatorial rule.
Throughout the documentary there is jazz and more jazz with interview and performance footage of the most famous jazz musicians and vocalists of the 1950’s and 1960’s.
The documentary expands beyond the Congo to recount its story amid Pan-Africanism, anti-colonialism and the trudge towards “African independence” with both the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. rattling each others’ chains over the evils of each country’s manipulation of African independence. The political games and machinations of the United Nations dealing with the Congo reveal a solid phalanx of liars.
A common theme expressed by many of the jazz musicians and by Malcom X was the segregation in the United States a doublespeak to the right self determination spouted by the United States government.
This is no linear documentary as it jumps from the Congo to other African countries, the United States and the Soviet Union to riotous jazz at one moment to mellow vocals the next. Stories are told through archival footage, diary entries, home movies, quotes from historians and political commentators, government documents etc.
Think of the documentary as a riotous collision of world politics and jazz. The coup’d’etat is not restricted to the Congo but a huge wool pull over the eyes of the world by a host of nation states acting independently, sometimes allied with each other and through the United Nations. The players excel in lies, double speak and manipulation.
A case study in theatrical or sham independence. A documentary, thriller and retro music video. The musical thumping of the desk at the United Nations by Soviet premier Khrushchev is a truly hilarious moment
Best not attempt to master all the facts and players, both political and musical, in the documentary as there are simply too many to categorize neatly in the human brain. Think in generalities such as independence and its manipulation in a colonial word where colonization was evolving toward imperialism. Forget the marching bands of the occupying colonial powers and realistically focus on a leaner form of colonialism where minerals flowing from the “independent African country” including uranium and copper from the Congo are the name of the game.
You can see the trailer here https://vimeo.com/1026160101
This Belgian/Dutch/Netherlands production is directed by Johan Grimonprez.
Theatrical release begins 17January2025 in Canada.
RKS 2025 Documentary Film Rating 95/100.
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