Finding Fela
Finding Fela is a 2014 American documentary film directed by Alex Gibney, portraying and analysing the life of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti.[1] The film had its world premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 17, 2014.[2][3]
| Finding Fela | |
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 Promotional release poster | |
| Directed by | Alex Gibney |
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Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Synopsis
A look at the life and music of Nigerian singer Fela Kuti, interwoven with extended scenes of the development of the New York musical Fela! and interviews with its director Bill T. Jones.[4]
Reception
Finding Fela received mixed reviews from critics. Geoffrey Berkshire of Variety, said in his review: "This watchable but rather rote chronicle fails to find a compelling perspective on Kuti's significant life and legacy."[5] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film by describing it as "An absorbing if not quite definitive patchwork of the life and legacy of an unorthodox artist."[6]
Extracts from the film featured in the 2015 British Library exhibition West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song.[7][8]
References
- Katie Van Syckle (January 24, 2014). "'Finding Fela' Brings Afrobeat to Sundance". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- "Sundance 2014: Documentary Premieres". IndieWire. January 10, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- Finding Fela listing at Sundance Film Festival 2014.
- Ashley Clark, "The art of reckoning: Alex Gibney on Finding Fela", BFI, 18 November 2016.
- Geoff Berkshire (February 12, 2014). "Film Review: 'Finding Fela'". Variety. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- David Rooney (January 29, 2014). "Finding Fela: Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- "West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song", Wall Street International, 15 October 2015.
- "West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song", Sound and vision blog, British Library, 26 October 2015.