Thursday, October 16, 2025, 8:00 p.m.
Helmholtz Lecture Hall, TU Ilmenau

in cooperation with the University Film Club of the TU Ilmenau

In the 1960s, many African states fought for their independence from the European colonial powers. While the Soviet Union and other socialist countries supported decolonization, the USA and its Western allies were sceptical. They were primarily interested in the natural resources over which they wanted to retain control.

The USA tries an unconventional approach and sends jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong and Nina Simone to African countries as advertising media in order to portray the West in a positive light, while at the same time figures such as Malcolm X and other jazz artists show solidarity with the independence movement.

In this historical rollercoaster ride, director Johan Grimonprez impressively interweaves global power structures, anti-colonial struggles and a whole lot of jazz. An informative, rousing, emotionally moving film about the decolonial struggle.