Lezing

'They Will Have To Kill Us First' and interview with Fadimata 'Disco' Walet Oumar

Fadimata 'Disco' Walet Oumar

Datum: 22 maart 2016
Tijd: 15:00 - 17:15 uur
Locatie: Pieter de la Court
Wassenaarseweg 52
2333 AK Leiden
Zaal: 3A06

'They Will Have To Kill Us First' is part of the Movies that Matter festival 18-26 March in The Hague. Apart from The Hague, the film will be shown in Leiden at the African Studies Centre. Fadimata 'Disco' Walet Oumar, one of the main characters, has been invited to the Netherlands by the festival organization and will be present at the screenings both in The Hague and in Leiden. After the film screening in Leiden she will be interviewed by Henrike Florusbosch (Department of Cultural Anthropology, Leiden University), followed by a discussion.

Synopsis

In 2012, extremist groups captured most of northern Mali. Sharia law was instituted and all music was banned. Forced into exile, singers Khaira Arby and Fadimata ‘Disco’ Walet Oumar join the resistance, their cause helped by the fact that Fadimata's husband is a leader of the Tuareg liberation movement MNLA. The fighting escalates and outside help is needed. The arrival of Damon Albarn’s Africa Express project – bringing western and African musicians together – helps highlight the musicians plight on an international stage. The film begins with musicians on the run, reveals rare footage of the jihadists, captures life at refugee camps, follows perilous journeys home to battle-scarred cities, and witnesses the two female characters perform at the first public concert in Timbuktu since the music ban.

The interview

Fadimata 'Disco' Walet Oumar is a renowned singer, UN-recognized humanitarian and outspoken activist. Disco organises gigs from her refugee camp base in Burkina Faso and is a constant support for musicians in exile. Language: English/French.