Movie Review: Fela!

Sahr Ngaujah depicts Fela Kuti with a mixture of staunch and cheeky charm. Photo / Supplied

Fela Kuti was a revolutionary and a rogue. And man, could the Nigerian musician and pioneer of Afro-beat sing, dance and play saxophone.

This film tells Kuti's story, specifically looking at his disillusionment with his homeland ("Too much Nigeria can give you a broken head."), his political motivation, his struggles with his own demons, and the brutal attack on his compound which becomes a poignant focal point of the film.

But be warned. It is not a documentary or dramatic interpretation of his life.

This is a live theatre film which takes a stage performance of Fela! by the National Theatre in London - complete with a powerful and funky 10-piece band - and makes a movie out of it. So while it leaves you wanting to see the real live theatre show, which is a quality production having won three 2010 Tony Awards including best choreography by director Bill T. Jones, it works as a film too (especially if you can't get to London to see it). Saxophone-playing
actor, singer and dancer Sahr Ngaujah plays Kuti with a mix of staunch and cheeky charm that gives him an endearing yet often arrogant air. But more importantly, given this is the movie version, the filming of the stage action is stunning, set against the backdrop of his nightclub, The Shrine, and Kalakuta Republic, Kuti's commune, recording studio, and home to his family, followers and band members.

Also, on a purely musical level Fela! reveals how he came up with this unique brand of music which, put simply, combines drums ("The pulse of the world"), vocals, High Life horns, cool jazz, and the funk of James Brown. And then it is all combined together and fired up by his revolutionary and uncompromising take on social issues.

"No more Juju or High Life. Music is about change. I'm going to change the world," he says following his political awakening while in the US during the late 60s and early 70s.

At more than three hours long it's one for true Fela followers. But hey, those hardcore fans will be used to long sprawling epics because that's what Afro-beat is all about.

LOWDOWN

Stars: 3.5/5
Cast: Sahr Ngaujah
Director: Bill T. Jones
Rating: D
Running time: 199 mins
Verdict: One for fans of Afro-beat, and/or live theatre film

- TimeOut