About the Film

Directed by Johan Grimonprez, Soundtrack to a Coup d’État is a Sundance award-winning documentary set against the backdrop of Congo’s independence intertwines themes of African decolonisation, the U.S. civil rights movement, and the Cold War, all narrated through the lens of jazz—America’s most unconventional weapon of diplomacy.

It explores a moment when jazz, colonialism, and espionage collided, constructing a riveting historical rollercoaster that illuminates the political machinations behind the 1961 assassination of Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba.

The film has been shortlisted for 2025 Academy Awards Best Documentary Feature.

About the Event

Date: 25 January 2025, 2 pm
Location: Sydney Opera House, in the Playhouse Theatre
Ticket Price: $30 Standard | $26 Concession

Join us for this special screening event! Tickets are on sale now via the link below. Book yours today.

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Africa Film Fest Australia, a project of Arts & Cultural Exchange and Afro-Australian curators is co-presenting Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat with Sydney Opera House.

Reviews:

“Political chaos and bebop beats intertwine in an intoxicating snapshot of modern Africa”- Timeout

“Writer and director Johan Grimonprez sets himself a difficult task with “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat,” yet accomplishes it with astonishing success. The film plays like both a dense historical text and a lively jazz concert while proving itself to be an invigorating piece of documentary filmmaking.” – Variety

“In its audio-visual swirl of outrage, “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” — one of the year’s very best documentaries — is nothing but deep cuts.” – Los Angeles Times

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