Extremists in Mali destroyed radio stations, burned instruments and threatened the lives of Mali’s musicians, but a new documentary to be screened in Bangor tells another story as well — one of the power of music and the determination of the musicians who sang despite their fear.
“They arrived from all sides, from the river. My nephew was running to see his dad and they shot him,” a man says, subtitles translating his haunting words in the trailer for “They Will Have to Kill Us First,” a documentary film directed by award-winning filmmaker Johanna Schwartz.
The sound of incessant pops of gunfire mix with song. Images of Mali under attack by Islamic extremists flash across the screen.
For Husson University’s New England School of Communications, a school dedicated to teaching students about digital audio, sound mixing, set design and construction, lighting, acting and electronics, this film is important to show.
“I teach a class called ‘Style and Structure of Music for Audio’ and it’s the first semester class for students. It’s really important because it sets the foundation and tone for talking about diversity and exposing them to music they don’t typically listen to,” Wellington Gordon, assistant professor of audio at NESCom, said. “I realized that we needed more than just the class to cultivate a community within the students.”
Gordon started a film series to help cultivate that community, bringing students together for the event to expose them to more diverse music. After being approached by Gibran Graham of River City Cinema about screening “They Will Have to Kill Us First,” Gordon saw the value for students and the community.
“The community has always strived to embrace the world — whether it’s art, music or technology. So I think that what River City Cinema’s goals are as an institution are very important.”
The New England School of Communications at Husson University, in partnership with River City Cinema, will screen the documentary “ They Will Have to Kill Us First,” a film addressing bans on music in Mali by Islamic extremists, at The Gracie Theatre at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 21. Filmmaker Schwartz will be in attendance for a question and answer session after the film.
As a musician with Maine band Mes Amis, Gordon appreciates the power of music, and contemplated the idea of having it taken away.
“If we can’t play music, it is the end, the end of us,” a Malian woman says in the film. Gordon echoed that sentiment.
“When you are drawn to playing music seriously, it’s a lifestyle. You can’t just all of a sudden choose to tell a community that they have to stop doing what they are compelled to do. A musician is compelled to make music. It’s not like an on and off switch,” he said.
The screening and Q&A are open to the public. Admission for the event is $10 and tickets are available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2534038 or at the door. Husson University students with a valid student ID will be admitted for free.
