Description
"far more than a glimpse at Fela Kuti playing live." -PopMatters
Fela Kuti is to African music what Bob Marley is to reggae: its prophet. All contemporary forms of black music, from funk to electronic, owe something to the irresistible groove of the Afrobeat sound that he created. He recorded more than 60 albums and spent a lifetime fighting against political corruption in his homeland of Nigeria, where the people affectionately called him their "Black President."
Shot in Lagos at the peak of his career in 1982, this documentary contains interviews with Fela detailing his thoughts on politics, Pan-Africanism, music and religion, alongside unpublished versions of songs like ITT, Army Arrangement and Power Show. For all who wish to know more about an artist at the heart of African musical history, Fela Kuti: Music is the Weapon is an essential film.
Reviews
"Music Is the Weapon may be short, but it's essential viewing for Fela fans. Filmed in 1982, the 53-minute documentary captures the late Nigerian musician/activist at his peak. (There are slight differences between the English and French versions, so it's best to watch both.) For the uninitiated, it's hard to explain--in mere words--how one man could so successfully mate the sexuality of James Brown with the righteous politics of Bob Marley and sinuous sounds of Miles Davis. Fela drew as much inspiration for his "Afro-beat" from Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X as funk, reggae, and jazz. Music Is the Weapon features interviews with Fela and a few of his many wives, along with performances of "ITT," "Army Arrangement," and other anthems. A controversial figure throughout his life, Fela is described as both "superstar" and "man of the people." This short, but potent document ably explores that dichotomy." --Kathleen C. Fennessy
"This film does a great job at capturing the socio-political backround behind Fela's message and movement. If you're expecting lot's of concert footage, more insight into Fela personally, or even a balanced unbiased look at the legend (for example, Nigerians famous and non-famous offering their insight on him), it definitely falls short... the film is more about Fela and his bid for the presidency of Nigeria.- - but what makes it worth the purchase is getting to step inside the Africa Shrine and Kalakuta Republic and see Fela in action on his home turf, to get to hear him expressing his beliefs candidly - - as well as the political realities behind the message in his music.
Containing both the French and American version, I like the French version better, as it focuses more on Fela and his music and message, whereas the American version seems to go as far as possible in capturing the poverty and squalor of Lagos. - - Incidentally, if you remember the BLUES-mobile from the BLUES BROTHERS, wait until you see Fela's own VW version..." - Eddie Landsberg, Tokyo, Japan
"I had no idea who Fela was. A documentary junkie, I just thought it sounded interesting. That it was.
Fela has been described as an African Bob Marley, father of Afrobeat music. More than that, though, he was politically active and a threat to the establishment. This is what makes him so much more interesting than just a musician.
Born in Africa, given a Western educated by Anglicized parents, having lived in America during the Watts riots and greatly influenced by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, Fela returned to Africa with a new purpose.
While his music is what he is mostly known for, his political activity is what is captivating. The documentary puts his life in a large political context, that of Nigeria during the 70s and early 80s, when this documentary was filmed. We get to see the inner workings of the Nigerian government through his eyes. It provides the backdrop for his life at this time.
Part musician, part politician, part prophet, Fela is an intriguing character. Perhaps what is most relevant about this film is how he takes the influence of Westernized ideas - musically and ideologically - and applies them to the problems he returned to in Nigeria." -A. Ort, Yougstown, OH