Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat

Documentary film, Belgium/France/Netherlands 2024, 150 min.


OSCAR nomination for Best Documentary 2024





The exhibition "Die Ferne so nah" at the Städt. Galerie Lippstadt (29.11.25 - 26.4.26) shows Lippstadt references to German colonial history. As part of the supporting program, the Kulturraum Synagoge is showing a series of films on the subject. The program kicks off with the Belgian-French-Dutch documentary "Soundtrack to a Coup d'etat", which was nominated for an Oscar for best documentary in 2025.





"A movie like a drumbeat that takes its audience back to the 1960s - with a wealth of breathtaking archive footage, jazz music and brilliant editing. It is reminiscent of a frenzy of improvisation. And the plot is that of a thriller." NDR





In the 1960s, many African states fought for their independence from the European colonial powers. While the Soviet Union and other socialist countries supported decolonization, the USA and its Western allies were sceptical. They were primarily interested in the natural resources over which they wanted to retain control.





The USA tries an unconventional approach and sends jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong and Nina Simone to African countries as advertising media in order to portray the West in a positive light, while at the same time figures such as Malcolm X and other jazz artists show solidarity with the independence movement.





"Director Johan Grimonprez impressively interweaves global power structures, anti-colonial struggles and a whole lot of jazz in this historical rollercoaster ride. An informative, rousing, emotionally moving film about the decolonial struggle."


grandfilm.de





"An exciting, stirring essay film... comprehensive, informative and thoroughly researched, but also full of energy, ideas and formal daring... Political history has never felt as energetic and dynamically alive as it does here."


Screen International





"A lively film essay that marries jazz and politics."


IndieWire





"An angry and elliptical movie, a piece of true history structured like a spider's web and filled with real urgency." The New York Times