Throw Down Your Heart
Aug 07 - Aug 13, 2009
(Sascha Paladino, USA, 2008, Beta-SP, 97 min)
Sponsored by KBCS 91.3 FM
Associated most often with folk, bluegrass and country music, many think of the banjo as a quintessentially American instrument. But in fact it is African in origin. Award winning documentary Throw Down Your Heart follows banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck as he travels through Uganda, Tanzania, Gambia and Mali in search of the little known roots of his instrument and cross-cultural musical collaborations. A multiple Grammy-winner for jazz, bluegrass and classical recordings, Fleck suddenly finds himself a wide-eyed novice as he encounters a dizzying array of African languages and cultural traditions. But his musical conversations with both talented amateurs and international stars such as n'goni lutenist Bassekou Kouyate and Malian diva Oumou Sangare are testaments to music’s ability to connect people across superficial divides. Directed by emerging auteur (and Fleck’s younger brother) Sascha Paladino, Throw Down Your Heart is an enthralling journey and a moving celebration of music and humanity.
"The best moments...are those in which the cameras and microphones simply capture the music being made by Fleck and these musicians, and the film contains many such moments" -The Stranger
“Engaging. We’re reminded how powerful—and empowering—music can be.” —Variety
See Bela Fleck and Toumani Diabaté live at Jazz Alley August 10-11!
Watch the trailer:
