Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.

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2:18

Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.

2018

1h 30m

Documentary

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Drawn from a never before seen cache of personal footage spanning decades, Stephen Loveridge creates an intimate portrait of the Sri Lankan artist and musician known as M.I.A.

Critics Consensus

Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. makes up in energy and ambition what it lacks in objective distance, offering fans a personal perspective on a singular career.

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Roxana Hadadi

Pajiba

Documentary MATANGI / MAYA / M.I.A. makes a case for our own self-reflection: What do we owe the 'Paper Planes' pop star?

Oct 26, 2018

Full Review

Jessica Kiang

The Playlist

If there is one note that rings clear through all the xeroxed, glitchy, abrasive background noise, it is that of authenticity and sincerity.

Rated: B+

Oct 13, 2018

Full Review

Brad Wheeler

Globe and Mail

[An] unpolished but ultimately intriguing film...

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 5, 2018

Full Review

Vadim Rizov

Filmmaker Magazine

I do not have strong feelings about M.I.A. either way, but I had a good time watching the opening stretch, with its period-redolent camcorder...fans, adjust upwards accordingly based on my biases.

Jan 5, 2023

Full Review

Greg Wetherall

NME (New Musical Express)

Matangi/Maya/MIA documents the outspoken rapper's journey from refugee to bona fide star. In doing so, it provides a fascinating insight...

Rated: 4/5

Jun 14, 2021

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Fittingly, this intriguing, frustrating and lively documentary on the trailblazing Sri Lankan-born recording artist M.I.A. sends many a mixed message.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 3, 2019

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Audience Member

Interesting story about her life and at the same time you learn more about Tamil people and the war happening in Sri Lanka

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Amazing documentary. think what you like about MIA and her politics (and honestly it's a bit annoying that reviewers are giving reviews based on what they think of her rather than the film), this is an extremely well made piece of film. so lucky to have all this personal footage to draw from and paint such a clear portrait

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/20

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Audience Member

First, you feel overcome by so many videos. Yes, she wanted to be a documentalist and became a music star, but it seems the cause is the teenager-style of become the attention center and recording everything, which sometimes makes things unnatural. Second, her music is not my style (not hip-hop in general, which look to me not rich in anything but in rhythm, and that is way a great mass can feel identify with it, because they can do at home). But their songs are strong, they are easy to like, and she has -independently of aesthetics- a overwhelming personality, which also helps to the documentary. But, of course, the important point about the film is that the main character does not forget about her roots and uses her platform to give a message about her country, something that is not very common in music world and, of course, she is criticized. If she had done any ultra-right comment, probably there would be not much problem around.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

david f

This is a great documentary which unfolds in the insouciant manner of its subject.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

this movie is one sided and this make sri lankan look bad

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An interesting documentary, at times infuriating.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/25/18

Full Review

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Stephen Loveridge

Director

M.I.A.

Self

Michael Raisler

Executive Producer

Steve Loveridge

Executive Producer

Philipp Engelhorn

Executive Producer

Paul Mezey

Producer

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Matangi Maya M.I.A.: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Drawn from a never before seen cache of personal footage spanning decades, Stephen Loveridge creates an intimate portrait of the Sri Lankan artist and musician known as M.I.A.

Director: Stephen Loveridge
Producer: Paul Mezey, Andrew Goldman, Lori Cheatle
Distributor: Abramorama
Production Co: Hard Working Movies, Cinereach
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 28, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $230.6K
Runtime: 1h 30m

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