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Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.

Play trailer 2:18 Poster for Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. 2018 1h 30m Documentary Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.

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Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.

Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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Roxana Hadadi Pajiba 10/26/2018
Documentary MATANGI / MAYA / M.I.A. makes a case for our own self-reflection: What do we owe the 'Paper Planes' pop star? Go to Full Review
Jessica Kiang The Playlist 10/13/2018
B+
If there is one note that rings clear through all the xeroxed, glitchy, abrasive background noise, it is that of authenticity and sincerity. Go to Full Review
Brad Wheeler Globe and Mail 10/05/2018
2.5/4
[An] unpolished but ultimately intriguing film... Go to Full Review
Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine 01/05/2023
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. Go to Full Review
Greg Wetherall NME (New Musical Express) 06/14/2021
4/5
Matangi/Maya/MIA documents the outspoken rapper's journey from refugee to bona fide star. In doing so, it provides a fascinating insight... Go to Full Review
Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) 07/03/2019
3.5/5
Fittingly, this intriguing, frustrating and lively documentary on the trailblazing Sri Lankan-born recording artist M.I.A. sends many a mixed message. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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05/28/2020 Interesting story about her life and at the same time you learn more about Tamil people and the war happening in Sri Lanka See more 02/12/2020 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 See more Emilio T @MilloTPue 11/15/2019 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. See more David F @dfulmer 02/27/2019 This is a great documentary which unfolds in the insouciant manner of its subject. See more 02/26/2019 this movie is one sided and this make sri lankan look bad See more 10/25/2018 An interesting documentary, at times infuriating. See more Read all reviews
Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.

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Movie Info

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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