Fela Kuti

Finding Fela (2014)

Fela Anikulapo Kuti created the musical movement Afrobeat and used it as a political forum to oppose the Nigerian dictatorship and advocate for the rights of oppressed people. This is the story of his life, music, and political importance.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alex Gibney
CAST:  Fela Kuti  •  Carlos Moore

Fela Anikulapo Kuti created the musical movement Afrobeat and used it as a political forum to oppose the Nigerian dictatorship and advocate for the rights of oppressed people. This is the story of his life, music, and political importance.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alex Gibney
CAST:  Fela Kuti  •  Carlos Moore

Ginger Baker: In Africa (1973)

In November 1971, Ginger Baker, the legendary drummer of Cream and Blind Faith, decided to set up a recording studio in Lagos, then the capital of Nigeria. Baker was one of the first rock musicians to realize the potential of African music. He also decided that it ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tony Palmer
CAST:  Ginger Baker  •  Fela Kuti

In November 1971, Ginger Baker, the legendary drummer of Cream and Blind Faith, decided to set up a recording studio in Lagos, then the capital of Nigeria. Baker was one of the first rock musicians to realize the potential of African music. He also decided that it ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tony Palmer
CAST:  Ginger Baker  •  Fela Kuti

Fela Kuti: Music Is the Weapon (1982)

Musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti recorded more than 60 albums to promote the magic of Afrobeat but never lost his political voice as an outspoken critic against widespread government corruption in Nigeria. This documentary examines the role that Fela, dubbed "Black ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jean-Jacques Flori  •  Stéphane Tchalgadjieff
CAST:  Fela Kuti  •  Pope John Paul II

Musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti recorded more than 60 albums to promote the magic of Afrobeat but never lost his political voice as an outspoken critic against widespread government corruption in Nigeria. This documentary examines the role that Fela, dubbed "Black ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jean-Jacques Flori  •  Stéphane Tchalgadjieff
CAST:  Fela Kuti  •  Pope John Paul II

Fela In Concert (2001)

This historic show was recorded in Paris in 1981 during an exclusive, all-night concert. Punctuated by the exotic and suggestive tribal dances and rituals performed on stage by 15 of Fela's wives, this exceptional event was captured by multiple cameras, enhancing ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Claude Lambert
CAST:  Fela Kuti

This historic show was recorded in Paris in 1981 during an exclusive, all-night concert. Punctuated by the exotic and suggestive tribal dances and rituals performed on stage by 15 of Fela's wives, this exceptional event was captured by multiple cameras, enhancing ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Claude Lambert
CAST:  Fela Kuti

Africa Rising (2019)

How African artists have spread African culture all over the world, especially music, since the harsh years of decolonization, trying to offer a nicer portrait of this amazing continent, historically known for tragic subjects, such as slavery, famine, war and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jean-Alexander Ntivyihabwa  •  Thorsten Ernst
CAST:  Vanessa Mdee  •  Gims  •  Sipho Dlamini  •  Binetou Sylla

How African artists have spread African culture all over the world, especially music, since the harsh years of decolonization, trying to offer a nicer portrait of this amazing continent, historically known for tragic subjects, such as slavery, famine, war and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jean-Alexander Ntivyihabwa  •  Thorsten Ernst
CAST:  Vanessa Mdee  •  Gims  •  Sipho Dlamini  •  Binetou Sylla

My Friend Fela (2019)

Most often portrayed as an eccentric African pop idol of the ghetto, Fela is rarely presented as the strong political leader he was. Through the eyes his close friend and official biographer, the African-Cuban intellectual Carlos Moore, this documentary is devoted ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joel Zito Araújo
CAST:  Fela Kuti  •  Carlos Moore

Most often portrayed as an eccentric African pop idol of the ghetto, Fela is rarely presented as the strong political leader he was. Through the eyes his close friend and official biographer, the African-Cuban intellectual Carlos Moore, this documentary is devoted ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joel Zito Araújo
CAST:  Fela Kuti  •  Carlos Moore

Fela Kuti: Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense (1984)

A huge influence on world music, Nigerian artist Fela Kuti played many instruments, pioneered afrobeat music and served as a prominent activist for human rights in Africa. This 1984 documentary examines the life and music of the remarkable man. Using his music to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dennis Marks
CAST:  Fela Kuti

A huge influence on world music, Nigerian artist Fela Kuti played many instruments, pioneered afrobeat music and served as a prominent activist for human rights in Africa. This 1984 documentary examines the life and music of the remarkable man. Using his music to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dennis Marks
CAST:  Fela Kuti

Happy in the Gap (2020)

A black essay on trains, beaches and space occupation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lucas H. Rossi
CAST:  Nina Simone  •  Fela Kuti  •  Tim Maia

A black essay on trains, beaches and space occupation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lucas H. Rossi
CAST:  Nina Simone  •  Fela Kuti  •  Tim Maia

Fela Kuti: Father of Afrobeat (2020)

In 1997, over one million people gathered in Lagos for the funeral of Fela Kuti, Africa’s biggest artist, who gave the world Afrobeat, yet was also a thorn in the side of Nigeria’s military regimes - a revolutionary who fought injustice with his music and a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Biyi Bandele
CAST:  Fela Kuti

In 1997, over one million people gathered in Lagos for the funeral of Fela Kuti, Africa’s biggest artist, who gave the world Afrobeat, yet was also a thorn in the side of Nigeria’s military regimes - a revolutionary who fought injustice with his music and a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Biyi Bandele
CAST:  Fela Kuti

Fela Kuti: Live at Glastonbury 1984 (1984)

Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti performs at the 1984 Glastonbury Festival. Originally produced for Arena.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dennis Marks
CAST:  Fela Kuti

Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti performs at the 1984 Glastonbury Festival. Originally produced for Arena.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dennis Marks
CAST:  Fela Kuti

Berliner Jazztage '78 (1978)

A Fela Kuti concert documentary produced for German television  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Fela Kuti

A Fela Kuti concert documentary produced for German television  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Fela Kuti