‘Finding Fela’ Set To Premiere In Nigeria

Funsho Arogundade

Finding Fela, the much anticipated documentary on the music, political and love life of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is set for premiere this Sunday 12 October at the New Afrika Shrine, Lagos.

The 120-minute documentary is a follow up to the making of Fela!, the successful Broadway musical based on Fela’s life and work. It was produced by Jigsaw Productions in association with Knitting Factory Entertainment. It was directed by Academy Award winner Alex Gibney, known for his gripping, deeply insightful documentaries.

Finding Fela tells the story of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s life, his music, his social and political importance. He created a new musical movement, Afrobeat, using that platform to express his revolutionary political opinions against the dictatorial Nigerian government of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. His influence helped bring a change towards the enthronment of democracy in Nigeria and projected Pan Africanist politics to the world.

“The potency of Fela’s message could stll be felt today and is expressed in the political movements of oppressed people, embracing Fela’s music and message in their struggle for freedom,” the producers said.

Shot in black and white and colour formats, the documentary showcases actual footages from Fela’s life and times as well as revealing interviews from family members, friends and fans including Femi Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Seun Kuti, Bill T. Jones, Sir Paul McCartney, Jim Lewis, Rikki Stein, Lemi Ghariokwu and Queen Kewe Anikulapo-Kuti.

Expressing her satisfaction with the end result of the documentary, Yeni Kuti told P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe that the production captures substantially quintessential Fela and a means to immortalise him.

She commended the producers for their effort at celebrating her dad who was a folk hero.

The premiere of Finding Fela, which is also billed for cinema release across Nigeria on Friday, 17 October, will form part of the activities to kick off the 2014 Felabration which will run from 12 to 19 October.

Finding Fela is distributed in Nigeria and Ghana by Silverbird Film Distribution W/Africa Limited.