Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat 12A

United Nations, 1960: the Global South ignites a political earthquake, jazz musicians Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach crash the Security Council, Nikita Khrushchev bangs his shoe, and the U.S. State Department swings into action, sending jazz ambassador Louis Armstrong to the Congo to deflect attention from the CIA-backed coup.

Filmmaker and artist Johan Grimonprez (dial H-I-S-T-O-R-Y, Shadow World) explores a moment when jazz, colonialism, and espionage collided, constructing a riveting historical rollercoaster that illuminates the political machinations behind the 1961 assassination of Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba.

This involving film is anchored by the rhythm of American jazz, revealing disturbing truths about the decolonial struggle between global political powers.

Featuring Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Nina Simone, John Coltrane and many more important figures in both music and politics.

Please Note: All screenings of this film will feature subtitles for dialogue only.