They Will Have to Kill Us First

Released Mar 4, 2016

1h 45m

Documentary

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19 Reviews

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100+ Ratings

Musicians unite to organize a concert in Timbuktu, Mali, after Islamic extremists ban all forms of music in the country.

Bilge Ebiri

Spirituality & Health

Rather than offering simple, and simplistic, explanations of the country's political strife, the film is unafraid to tackle the complexity of the warring factions...

Mar 24, 2020

Full Review

Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

Mostly, the film documents how a rich musical tradition continues to captivate listeners around the world even as its practitioners are struggling at home.

Apr 1, 2016

Full Review

Cary Darling

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

Much like the transporting 2014 Oscar-nominated narrative film Timbuktu, which dealt with the same topic, They Will Have to Kill Us First is both bracing and beautiful.

Rated: 4.5/5

Mar 31, 2016

Full Review

Alexa Dalby

Dog and Wolf

A celebration of music and the human spirit, They Will Have To Kill Us First gives an intimate and personal insight into lives of these displaced musicians.

Rated: 3/5

May 31, 2019

Full Review

Ciara Dolan

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

They Will Have to Kill Us First sends a clear message from Mali's musicians to their oppressors-you can turn cities into ghost towns, take away radio stations, and destroy instruments, but we'll never stop making music.

Aug 21, 2017

Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

A documentary affirming the soulful meanings of music in Mali where jihadists have banned all music-making.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 21, 2016

Full Review

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Lauren M

Absolutely stunning film. So compelling. Following multiple artists through their experiences of the music ban in the civil war in Mali, you learn various policial, cultural and musical experiences of the region. I learned so much about such a beautiful people and music - would 100% recommend watching this film. Also Songhoy Blues is now one of my favorite bands!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/17/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Pauline Hanson needs to watch this! It might heal her racist heart because music has that kind of power and Johanna Schwartz is here to prove it. The beautiful and irresistible sound of Mali won't ever be silenced! There's a lot of girl power on display both in front of the camera with the legendaries Khaira Arby and Fadimata 'Disco' Walet Oumar as subjects and behind the camera under Schwartz's helm and Karelle Walker's cinematography. It's screening as part of the Australian Festival of African Film in Geelong's Pivotonian Cinema on October 28th. Take all the Islamophobics you know so they can learn how human we all are. I'm getting the soundtrack and will play at loud volume because freedom should never be taken for granted. Those looking for a clear geopolitical explanation about the situation in Mali should look elsewhere... At 105 minutes, it's not really achievable though Schwartz did the best she could.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellently done. Another country suffering at the hands of radical Islamic terrorist. But these people have a lot of heart.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

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Johanna Schwartz

Director

Johanna Schwartz

Writer

Andy Morgan

Writer

Johanna Schwartz

Producer

Sarah Mosses

Producer

John Schwartz

Producer

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They Will Have to Kill Us First: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Musicians unite to organize a concert in Timbuktu, Mali, after Islamic extremists ban all forms of music in the country.

Director: Johanna Schwartz
Producer: Johanna Schwartz, Sarah Mosses, John Schwartz, Kat Amara Korba
Screenwriter: Johanna Schwartz, Andy Morgan
Distributor: BBC Worldwide North America
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 4, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2017
Runtime: 1h 45m

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