Throw Down Your Heart

Released Apr 24, 2009

1h 37m

Documentary

List

84%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Béla Fleck is a virtuoso banjo player who embarks on a personal and cultural journey to Africa to learn about the origins of his beloved instrument -- which did not, contrary to popular belief, originate in backwoods Appalachia. Touring Uganda, Tanzania, Gambia and Mali, Fleck jams with some master musicians, duels with a Gambian banjo player, learns about the banjo's ancient history and basks in the pleasure that music affords, a pleasure that transcends cultural boundaries.

Critics Consensus

Throw Down Your Heart is an exuberant musical journey with an edge of sadness.

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Sophie Harris

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Ted Fry

Seattle Times

This is an honest journey into discovery that reveals the connection music brings between cultures where commonality is not always easy to find.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 6, 2009

Full Review

Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

As a whole the film often feels more like a PBS special than a theatrical documentary, but it's hard to deny the film's charms.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 7, 2019

Full Review

Brandy McDonnell

The Oklahoman

The stories accent the universality of people without needing to overtly point it out.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 13, 2018

Full Review

Jennifer Merin

About.com

Musician Bela Fleck brings the banjo back to Africa, where it originated. Overall, the music is terrific and the film's intentions are good. But less would have been more.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 16, 2009

Full Review

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Audience Member

Bela Fleck's flick is an incredible journey of music

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I may be biased on this one. As a huge Fleck fan, I saw the premier in Central Park after a particularly awesome concert. It was a neat experience.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bela Fleck compels this documentary forward through his skilled playing, but it still feels repetitive and lacking the substance and weight that many other documentarians, such as Herzog, seem to portray and capture. It is a beautiful look into Africa and the culture of music there.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wonderful panoramic view of the music of sub-Saharan Africa and an American's collaboration with these superb musicians.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

For the love of music. Awesome movie :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This documentary is full of emotion, adventure, and wonderful music. The brave and virtuosic Béla Fleck takes the banjo in the only direction left untraveled by him, directly into its African roots. With a humble spirit and collaborative skills honed over a lifetime of performing and recording, Béla and his fellow travelers and hosts create an enchanting narrative that leaps from one African culture to another, each with its own deep traditions, players, and instrumentation. With a hypnotic energy, the music will lift your heart and make you feel like dancing. Celebrate life, music, and the banjo and enjoy this film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

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Sascha Paladino

Director

Béla Fleck

Producer

Sascha Paladino

Producer

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Synopsis

Béla Fleck is a virtuoso banjo player who embarks on a personal and cultural journey to Africa to learn about the origins of his beloved instrument -- which did not, contrary to popular belief, originate in backwoods Appalachia. Touring Uganda, Tanzania, Gambia and Mali, Fleck jams with some master musicians, duels with a Gambian banjo player, learns about the banjo's ancient history and basks in the pleasure that music affords, a pleasure that transcends cultural boundaries.

Director: Sascha Paladino
Producer: Béla Fleck, Sascha Paladino
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 24, 2009, Limited
Release Date (DVD): Nov 3, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $88.6K
Runtime: 1h 37m