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Plot Summary
This SXSW Audience Award winner captures one of the world's greatest musicians as he embarks on a pilgrimage to Africa to rediscover the banjo's musical roots - demonstrating along the way how music transcends languages, cultures and continents.
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Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews
TOMATOMETER
79%- Reviews Counted: 24
- Fresh: 19
- Rotten: 5
- Average Rating: 6.8/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Fresh: When Ms. Sangare sings a heartbreaking lament of "a worried songbird" searching for her father, you don't need to know the language to be gripped by the force of her cry.
Fresh: Fleck comes across as respectfully curious and eagerly collaborative while exploring the roots of his favorite musical instrument.
Fresh: All the jams are fabulously stirring but not sappy, especially when Fleck duels with a Gambian man on a three-string akonting (forefather to the banjo), but there's nothing more to the film.
Rotten: The movie is at least 20 minutes too long. By the time Fleck gets to the final stop, Mali, the film, directed by Sascha Paladino (a half-brother of Fleck), has worn out its welcome.
Customer Reviews
What a treat!
Wow. For anyone who loves the root musics of the world, especially African musics and their living presence in the music of the US, this is a beautiful and honest film celebrating just these things. Bela Fleck's heart is thrown down into the great sea of the African heart and we are all lifted up. Thanks, Mr. Fleck.
Worth viewing
Watching the documentary makes the music even more meaningful. Fleck knows when to drop back and let the local musicians or singers shine.
Sharing music/sharing humanity
This movie is beautifully crafted, highlighting the African musicians while showcasing Bela Fleck's superb skills. I was very moved by the gentle telling of the musicians' stories, and the joy in sharing music across divergent cultures.
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