Mali Blues

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2:19

Mali Blues

Released Jun 30, 2017

1h 33m

Documentary

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

World music star Fatoumata Diawara prepares for her performance at the 2015 Festival of the Niger, her first in her home country of Mali.

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Music documentaries are thick on the land, and political ones are numerous as well, but "Mali Blues" is different in that it artfully combines hypnotic music with definite societal concerns.

Jul 6, 2017

Full Review

Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

Mali Blues should appeal both to world music fans and anyone interested in the increasing tensions between secular and religious forces in Africa.

Jul 3, 2017

Full Review

Glenn Kenny

New York Times

Despite the urgency of the situation the musicians face, when they're not doing their work, the movie is quiet, observant, taking in the austere beauty of the land and the people.

Jun 30, 2017

Full Review

Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

...one cannot perhaps expect the musicians, who create some of the world's most exquisite music, to speak knowingly about complex geopolitics. But the filmmakers have a greater responsibility.

Jul 8, 2020

Full Review

Michael McNeely

That Shelf

While a bit long and unfocused in scope, it is well worth getting to know Diawara and company, even if just to see passion doing its magic.

Feb 15, 2019

Full Review

Alysia Urrutia

Cinema Scope

You might remember her minor but memorable performance in the Oscar-nominated Timbuktu (2014), but in Lutz Gregor's Mali Blues singer Fatoumata Diawara's electrifying pizzazz rightfully earns her the spotlight.

Nov 11, 2017

Full Review

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Carlos V

MALIBLUES no te la pueder perder si eres amante de la música con contenido y sentimiento...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/23

Full Review

Rodrigo F

Buen documental, recomendable

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/21/23

Full Review

lizbeth s

Es una historia que conmovera profundamente al espectador ya que trata de musicales que se espanden por los países y la política.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Beautiful music, and really important story of the political context for musicians in Mali.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

In the same class as Buena Vista Social Club. A must for any fan of music and the role it plays in promoting peace and progress in Mali. Fatou is charming.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

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Lutz Gregor

Director

Fatoumata Diawara

Self

Christian Beetz

Producer

Kerstin Meyer-Beetz

Executive Producer

Axel Schneppat

Cinematographer

Markus Schmidt

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Mali Blues: Trailer 1

2:19

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Synopsis

World music star Fatoumata Diawara prepares for her performance at the 2015 Festival of the Niger, her first in her home country of Mali.

Director: Lutz Gregor
Producer: Christian Beetz
Distributor: Icarus Films
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 30, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 20, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.8K
Runtime: 1h 33m

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