First Film to See about Africa

Now, I have not seen every film made by Africans or films about Africa, but I have seen quite a few. Many of them, especially documentaries, may be factually correct, but they seem to subconsciously broadcast the message that Africa is full of problems, so many to overwhelm us outsiders.

Today I saw a film that offers a radically different perspective, and is, as of today, March 22, one of a few films I would recommend as an introduction to Africa.

Throw Down Your Heart is the story of American banjo player Bela Fleck's journey to the roots of the banjo...Africa (the banjo is believed to come from Gambia, to be precise). We are introduced to African life through song, dance and rhythm, and the other issues of life are a backdrop, but not the foreground. The blended music was amazing, and Bela Fleck's desire to have his banjo sounds fit into African sounds are a great departure from most Western visitors, who often have African sounds augment their own tunes (Peter Gabriel, I do love your music though!).

So go see it if you can. It will be in SF at the Little Roxie through March 26th (and in New York City April 26-30), and the music is available online.

PS. One amazing story about the banjo. There is a story in Gambia that the akonting, believed to be the predecessor to the banjo, was played in the woods at night. When people would go to listen the music, they would disappear, and become slaves. The first ships all of the slaves were dying, and it was only with the akonting on board that the slaves could survive the journey, and it helped them survive the struggle.

This photo shows how similar a Gambian akonting player is to an American mid-1800s banjo player.