Event

They Will Have to Kill Us First

They Will Have to Kill Us First
Documentary
Directed and filmed by Johanna Schwartz
1 hr 45 mins

Music is the beating heart of Malian culture. But when Islamic hardliners took control of northern Mali, they enforced one of the harshest interpretations of sharia law in history, and crucially for Mali, they banned all forms of music. Radio stations were destroyed, instruments burned and Malis musicians faced torture, even death.

Overnight, Malians revered musicians were forced into hiding or exile where most remain even now. But rather than lay down their instruments, the musicians are fighting back, standing up for their cultural heritage and identity. Through everything, they have used music as their weapon against on-going violence that has left Mali ravaged.

This film begins with musicians on the run, reveals rare footage of the jihadists, captures life at refugee camps, follows perilous journeys home to war-ravaged cities, and witnesses our characters perform at the first public concert in Timbuktu since the music ban.

With a specially commissioned soundtrack from Malis most exciting artists, a score written by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Nick Zinner, They Will Have To Kill Us First leaps headfirst into a tale of courage in the face of conflict.

The situation in Mali forms part of an alarming trend across the globe, extremists are attacking culture, art and freedom with increasing frequency and violence. They Will Have To Kill Us First draws the audience into the human side of this conflict.

Essential viewing (Dazed & Confused)
A gripping, powerful documentary (Indiewire)