The documentary Fela Kuti: Music is the Weapon with the Afro-beat legend, political revolutionary, musician, composer and performer, mixes footage of Fela Anikulapo Kuti performing at his Shrine nightclub, interviews with the controversial musician, glimpses of life at his Kalakuta Republic compound, and scenes of Lagos street life.
Some voice-over narration gives basic information on Kuti’s musical career and Nigerian politics, but for the most part, the images are left to speak for themselves. Well shot in color, it’s an important historical document capturing Kuti in stage and home environments that were most crucial to his life and work.
By the time of his death from an AIDS-related illness, he had recorded more than 70 albums, toured the world and transformed African music for all time.
Filmed in 1982. 53 min. Documentary film.
