Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat

Grimonprez’s Academy Award-nominated film reveals the connections between post-war jazz, US imperialism and the Pan-African decolonisation movement.

Set during the final months of Patrice Lumumba’s life, Grimonprez’s documentary, anchored by the rhythm of American jazz, forensically investigates the incendiary politics of the nascent Democratic Republic of Congo in 1960. In doing so, it reveals disturbing truths about the decolonial struggle between global political powers.

Staccato beats and syncopation are the guiding principles of this hypnotic and harrowing film essay, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature.