Why Soundtrack to a Coup d’État by Johan Grimonprez deserves all the acclaim ?
Affiche de "Soundtrack to a Coup d'État" de Johan Grimonprez © Warboys Films
By Christian Wabenga / November 12, 2024
Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, currently playing in cinemas, is a powerful cinematic and musical experience that bears the unique mark of Belgian filmmaker Johan Grimonprez. Known for his thought-provoking documentaries, Grimonprez masterfully uses sound and imagery to challenge historical and political narratives.
In this film, Grimonprez focuses on Congo’s tumultuous past, a journey that unveils the complex power games between the United States, the Belgian monarchy, and their Western allies during the period of African independence and the U.S. civil rights movement. The film reveals the West’s deep involvement in the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s first Prime Minister, exposing hidden strategies that often took cover behind cultural events and jazz icons to maintain control over Congo’s wealth.
Patrice Lumumba (left) became Congo’s first prime minister after it gained independence in June 1960 ©Dominique Berretty/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Jazz plays a pivotal role in the film’s narrative. Grimonprez elevates this iconic genre, using it as a voice for both history and resistance. The music of figures like Louis Armstrong and Max Roach becomes more than a soundtrack; it is a powerful witness to a complex struggle, recounting the story of Congo’s liberation with haunting rhythm and intensity. Once an instrument of Cold War propaganda, jazz is transformed under Grimonprez’s lens into a cry for memory, solidarity, and resilience.
Grimonprez’s storytelling is equally compelling. In a richly edited 2.5-hour journey, he weaves together voices from across the globe—from Harlem to Moscow—who spoke out in solidarity with Congo. His use of rare archival footage, iconic speeches, and new interviews creates a textured narrative that gives every event fresh clarity and context.
This film is an intense and moving exploration of colonization and the fight for independence. Every edit and every jazz note underscore the manipulation and control exerted by Western powers. Music, far from serving as mere background, embodies the intensity of the narrative, guided by Grimonprez’s conviction that “if politics divides to conquer, music unites.”
If you’re seeking a thought-provoking cinematic experience, Soundtrack to a Coup d’État is an essential watch that’s still playing in cinemas — don’t miss the chance to see it on the big screen.