Fela Kuti

A black essay on trains, beaches and space occupation.

In November 1971, Ginger Baker, the legendary drummer of Cream and Blind Faith, decided to set up a recording studio in Lagos, then the capital of Nigeria. Baker was one of the first rock musicians to realize the potential of African music. He also decided that it would be a rewarding musical experience to travel to Nigeria over land across the Sahara desert - a journey that would lead him into a number of adventures. This film by Tony Palmer follows Ginger Baker's odyssey as he makes his journey and finally arrives in Nigeria to set up his studio, which would run successfully through the seventies as a facility for both local and western musicians (Paul McCartney's Wings recorded "Band On The Run" there).

This historic show was recorded in Paris in 1981 during an exclusive, all-night concert. Punctuated by the exotic and suggestive tribal dances and rituals performed on stage by 15 of Fela's wives, this exceptional event was captured by multiple cameras, enhancing this special DVD presentation. Fela was a musician, a politician, a spiritual chief, and an agitator all at once, but however one views the man, he was undeniably a symbolic icon of struggle & revolution, as well as one of the most beloved men in Africa. In Nigeria, Fela claimed that he was better known than the President. It was probably true.

A huge influence on world music, Nigerian artist Fela Kuti played many instruments, pioneered afrobeat music and served as a prominent activist for human rights in Africa. This 1984 documentary examines the life and music of the remarkable man. Using his music to raise awareness, Kuti embraced social justice themes. He died in 1997 of complications from AIDS. Footage from his legendary show in Glastonbury, England, is included.

As a headliner of the prestigious Berlin Jazz Festival (Berliner Jazztage), Fela takes the stage with Afrika '70 and captures the hearts of the audience with a raucous, high-energy, exciting musical performance.

Tourné à Lagos (Nigéria) en 1982, ce document suit Fela Kuti, artiste de référence dans l'histoire de la musique africaine, de la "République de Kalakuta" au mythique night club "Africa Shrine". Au sommet de sa popularité, dans un Nigéria chaotique, Fela projette de devenir président. L'armée rétorque en attaquant et saccageant sa communauté: des femmes sont violées, sa mère défenestrée. Elle mourra un an plus tard des suites de ses blessures. À la sortie d'un nouveau séjour en prison, Fela, plus déterminé que jamais, entouré de ses femmes, livre à la caméra ses pensées sur la politique, le panafricanisme, la musique, la religion.

Comment les artistes africains ont diffusé la culture africaine dans le monde entier, en particulier la musique, depuis les dures années de la décolonisation, en essayant d'offrir un plus beau portrait de cet étonnant continent, historiquement connu pour des sujets tragiques, comme l'esclavage, la famine, la guerre et le chaos politique.

Most often portrayed as an eccentric African pop idol of the ghetto, Fela is rarely presented as the strong political leader he was. Through the eyes his close friend and official biographer, the African-Cuban intellectual Carlos Moore, this documentary is devoted to unravel the complexity of Fela’s life. As the story unfolds, it reveals the glories and tragedies that shaped the lives of the pan-African generation as well as Fela's.

Fela Anikulapo Kuti created the musical movement Afrobeat and used it as a political forum to oppose the Nigerian dictatorship and advocate for the rights of oppressed people. This is the story of his life, music, and political importance.

In 1997, over one million people gathered in Lagos for the funeral of Fela Kuti, Africa’s biggest artist, who gave the world Afrobeat, yet was also a thorn in the side of Nigeria’s military regimes - a revolutionary who fought injustice with his music and a libertine who married 27 wives in one ceremony. When he died from a disease that carried a huge stigma in Africa, there was fear his legacy would die with him. Exclusive testimony reveals the multifaceted man behind the maverick performer.

Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti performs at the 1984 Glastonbury Festival. Originally produced for Arena.

PARIS est le théâtre de ce voy­age musi­cal, même si par­fois on s’en évade pour des ban­lieues anonymes. Mais un Paris secret, couleur d’outremer, couleur d’ailleurs, ignoré des guides offi­ciels et des noctam­bules rou­tiniers, petits îlots d’Afrique, des Caraïbes, des Amériques ou des Antilles, fait de mille lieux éclatés, éphémères et vibrants que ceux qui les fréquentent rehaussent de l’exotisme sans pacotilles de leurs loin­taines patries. BLACK est la couleur dom­i­nante de nos acteurs, même si ce noir est moins la couleur de leur peau qu’un état d’âme, un art de vivre, un signe de recon­nais­sance, un « feel­ing », une manière de s’habiller, de rire, de manger, de danser, de faire de la musique ou de l’écouter. NIGHT est le moment privilégié de notre quête, de nos vagabondages dans un Paris « black » délivré des gri­sailles et des pesan­teurs du quotidien.

A huge influence on world music, Nigerian artist Fela Kuti played many instruments, pioneered afrobeat music and served as a prominent activist for human rights in Africa. This 1984 documentary examines the life and music of the remarkable man. Using his music to raise awareness, Kuti embraced social justice themes. He died in 1997 of complications from AIDS. Footage from his legendary show in Glastonbury, England, is included.

Agouénou, a newcomer to a government agency, takes on the entrenched corruption and butts heads with the leader of the old-guard, Sénou. The film features music composed and performed by Nigerian Afrobeat luminary Fela Kuti.

Agouénou, a newcomer to a government agency, takes on the entrenched corruption and butts heads with the leader of the old-guard, Sénou. The film features music composed and performed by Nigerian Afrobeat luminary Fela Kuti.