Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat

In this historical drama, jazz music serves as a backdrop for the complex political landscape surrounding the decolonization of Africa during the height of the Cold War. Set against the tumultuous events in Congo, where the fight for independence thrusts the nation onto the global stage, the film weaves together the stories of prominent historical figures and musicians who played pivotal roles in shaping these events. The tension between Western forces and newly independent African nations, as well as their allies, is explored through the lens of cultural diplomacy when the United States dispatches jazz ambassador Louis Armstrong to Africa. The movie also delves into the brutal assassination of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba, orchestrated by foreign powers and reflecting the dark reality of colonialism and structural racism. Renowned musicians Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach become voices against imperialism as Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev criticizes the US for its own internal racial issues. Through music, politics, and personal stories, the film unveils a gripping narrative about power, independence, and the struggle to create a new world order in the 1960s.