Reviews
"One of the best recently released music documentaries." - NPR Music
"The Last Song Before The War is a beautiful trip to an oasis of harmony and music in a world filled with strife." - Richard Marcus, Empty Mirror Books
"The Last Song Before the War provides a moving and richly detailed analysis of the effects of the invasion of Mali by Ansar Dine and Al Quaeda in the Islamic Maghreb on local communities' religious and artistic traditions. With exceptionally researched ethnographic data, this film highlights the significance of the Festival au Desert to local economies and identities, the devastation caused by its exile, and the resilience of the Malian people in the face of political instability and cultural conflict. It is a must-see for students and professors of Ethnomusicology, Religion, Sociology, Anthropology, and African Studies." - Erin Joanna Augis, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sociology at Ramapo College of New Jersey
“The Last Song Before the War is a touching tribute to the legendary Festival au Désert music festival that took place in Northern Mali from 2001 to 2012. Masterfully interspersing footage of riveting musical performances from a variety of North African and international artists (Tinarawen, Oumou Sangaré), panoramic shots displaying the quiet beauty of the Sahara Desert, stirring images of legions of Tuareg nomads arriving by camel, and interviews with musicians, fans, and the event’s founder, the documentary captures both the joy and the mounting tension of the festival‘s final year before it was forced into exile when Islamic militants seized control of the region in 2012. The producers have crafted a film equally appealing to world music aficionados, international wanderers, armchair travelers and global politics junkies alike." - Jan Lebow, Pan African Film Festival, Los Angeles
"The interviews with organizers and musicians reveal the extraordinary obstacles which had to be overcome in order to make such an event a reality. Just reaching the location is a challenge without considering the transport of the necessary equipment. But it was a labor of love and passion. Most fabulous is the performance footage and interviews with the musicians. I have spent far too many hours googling the music of these groups. It is mesmerizing and thoroughly intoxicating to see and hear this music and the blissed out audiences in the gorgeous desert night skies."- Belle McIntyre, Musee Magazine
"The Last Song Before the War is a colorful, artistic, and yet impartial and rigorous gaze into one of the most significant conflicts of the 21st century: the war in Mali, 2012-2013. By far more than any other work of its kind, it unveils the multitude of layers of a complex society in duress, addressing effectively the causes and attitudes of the various stakeholders, just as well as the deep impact that war and violence can have at the very core of an ancient yet fragile multi-ethnic society. As an international studies professor, and a conflict analysis and transformation expert, I highly recommend The Last Song Before the War for the issues identified in this monumental cultural testimony apply easily to any other complex region infested by severe environmental stress, chronic regional grievances, corruption, trafficking, as well as the threat of religious fundamentalism. This is an ideal tool for any sensible educator who strives to maintain connected current affairs with theory in his or her graduate or undergraduate classroom." - Christos Kyrou, Ph.D., Research Director at the Center for International Relations, and Associate Professor at Dar Al Hekma University