21/25
Jazz and decolonization intersect in this historical rollercoaster that rewrites the Cold War episode that led musicians Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach to bring down the UN Security Council in protest of the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. I saw it at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The main goals and importance of what the documentary is trying to reveal and say. While there are some amazing graphics, interviews, and visuals, the 2 hours and 30 minutes feel unnecessary and the structure of the documentary is chaotic. Many of the themes and topics explored are interesting, including jazz, decolonization, and conflicts between countries. I liked some of the musical sound choices and some of the discussions that were explored. But I found myself unable to fully invest in the story because I felt like the filmmaker was creating style over substance. Where some aspects felt underdeveloped and a bit lacking and too focused on technical aspects. At 2 hours and 30 minutes, the documentary is too suspenseful to be fully satisfying. All in all, well-intentioned, but not for me.