Arts & Culture
Tuesday, November 16, 2010The Beat of Mali: Essakane Film
by Andrea Papitto, Producer, Essakane FilmShare this article:
Plenty of fans from around the world flock to these gatherings, even if they’re located in unexpected places (hello, Burning Man).As filmmakers, we decided to focus on one festival in particular, one that serves a multitude of purposes: not only does the Festival au Désert in Mali bring together incredible West African musicians—sometimes with Western musicians as huge as Robert Plant and Jimmy Buffett—but the festival brings an awareness to a region not known for hosting huge guitar jam sessions and mosh pits. Our film, Essakane Film, is about the most remote music festival in the world, and the battle to make it happen.
As a homegrown approach to sustaining peace, democracy, and for developing tourism in Mali, the festival has brought significant cultural awareness and economic development to the local communities in the region and the tourism sector in Mali. But sadly, over the past few years, security warnings issued by Western governments have increased, affecting the attendance at the festival and threatening its viability. But that will not stop the festival organizers, the community, and the musicians who rock the stage from putting on another great show in 2011.
Essakane Film will feature performers like Vieux Farka Touré, Khaira Arby, members of Tinariwen, and Leni Stern, as well festival organizer, Manny Ansar, and NPR world music correspondent and Afropop editor, Banning Eyre.
As independent filmmakers, we are using Kickstarter as a fun and participatory way to finance the film and give our backers something in return. Backers can get cool rewards like signed signed Vieux Farka Touré posters, Leni Stern CDs, advanced copies of the DVD, and official film t-shirts for supporting the film.
To be an Essakane Film backer, visit our Kickstarter page: http://kck.st/bBzHmf. Essakane Film would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, especially official air sponsor Royal Air Maroc, and other corporate sponsors Devex, Passport Health, and World Language Communications.
Newsletter
RSS
