MANU DIBANGO: SILENCES (TV)
Summary
This documentary from France chronicles the life of composer, arranger, and saxophone player Manu Dibango, the first African musician to be an international success with his top 40 hit "Soul Makossa," created during the time of Hidjo, Cameroon's dictator. Through old newsreels and personal recollections, World War II is seen through the eyes of this native of Cameroon, whose strongest memories of childhood include images of African soldiers going to war to defend France against their will. In the program, Dibango returns to former haunts in Africa and France and visits with people from his past, among them his former choirmaster and musical mentor, now 80 years old; Fax Clarke, who gave Dibango his first job as a musician and who has built his life around his deep love for Louis Armstrong and the Mona Lisa; and former classmates, who reflect on Dibango's arrival as a young black child in a small province in France. In his recording studio, Dibango watches the newsreels -- including clips of Armstrong and Josephine Baker, among others -- and performs several pieces with his band, including Charlie Parker's "Now's the Time," as he tells his story. Songs performed include "Douala Serenade," "C'est Si Bon," "Tin Roof Blues," "St. Louis Blues," "Now the Time," "Mpulimwamomi," "Soir au Village," "Jesu Christo," "Ooh Koh," "Soul Makossa," and "Mouvement Ewondo."
(This program was awarded the Golden Rose of Montreux, Producer's Competition, 1991 Festial de la Rose d'Or)
Details
- NETWORK: (France)
- DATE: March 9, 1991
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:55
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:23841
- GENRE: Music; Arts documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Cameroon; International Collection - France; Jazz; Music, popular (songs, etc.)
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Beatrice Soule … Producer, Director
- Julie Soland … Writer
- Manu Dibango … Narrator, Instrumentalist, Saxophonist, Singer
- Justin Tchounou … Instrumentalist, Pianist
- Pierre Valerie Lobe … Instrumentalist, Batterie (Drums)
- Kaba Jerry Malekani … Instrumentalist, Guitare (Guitar)
- Andre Manga … Instrumentalist, Basse (Bass)
- Kanza Lokua … Singer, Choeurs (Chorus)
- Florence Gnimagnon … Singer, Choeurs (Chorus)
- Catherine Elolongue Mbango … Singer, Choeurs (Chorus)
- Louis Armstrong
- Josephine Baker
- Fax Clarke
- Charlie Parker