Finding Fela

Kicked off by a talk by art and music journalist Maxi Broecking

*Finding Fela* tells the fascinating life story of Fela Anikulapo Kuti and sheds light on his music as well as his immense social and political significance. As the creator of an entirely new musical genre—Afrobeat—he used the stage to vociferously defend his revolutionary political views against the Nigerian military dictatorship of the 1970s and 1980s. His tireless influence paved the way for democratic change in Nigeria and carried the vision of a pan-African political movement throughout the world. The unbroken power and relevance of Fela’s message remain evident to this day: Oppressed peoples around the world still draw on his music and slogans in their struggle for freedom. This gripping portrait was directed by Oscar winner Alex Gibney.

This year, he became the first African ever to be posthumously honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his life's work: Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti, known, among other things, as the creator of Afrobeat.

US/UK/NL/FR 2014 – Director: Alex Gibney – Documentary – Original version with German subtitles