Oscar-Nominated Documentary Explores Jazz, Cold War, and Congo’s Turbulent History

Johan Grimonprez’s 'Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat' examines the intersection of music, colonialism, and global politics through a gripping montage of archival material.

The film delves into the Congo's post-independence struggles, centering on the 1961 assassination of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba and its geopolitical implications.
It highlights the role of jazz as both a symbol of liberation and a tool of U.S. cultural diplomacy during the Cold War.
Archival footage, interviews, and music create a layered narrative connecting global power struggles, colonial exploitation, and cultural resistance.
The documentary critiques the involvement of Western powers, including the CIA and Belgium, in destabilizing the Congo for control over its rich natural resources.
Praised for its innovative montage style, the film has been nominated for an Oscar and has already received accolades, including a Sundance Jury Special Prize.