It’s a documentary that attempts to audit the life and career of a musical legend using the right talking heads but frankly, was it an effort enough? The depth of coverage definitely misses out on a contemporaneous slant that would have given the production the much-desired kick.
Based on an idea and directed by Biyi Bandele, a playwright and director with two film credits and a TV series, (Shuga that focused on the lives of the African youths), one would expect this documentary to situate itself in the tick of happenstances and reflect on the reverberating impact of Fela's Afrobeat on a much younger generation. Simply a lot going on at present vis a vis musical outreach, nay creativity and the much vaunted twin factor tied to Fela’s musical prowess, political activism, that any work focusing on his music will have to contend with these very important issues.
I kept wondering why no well known celebrity youngster was interviewed. Burna Boy, for instance, is a Nigerian international music product that has been greatly influenced by Fela's Afrobeat. Same goes for Wizkid whose 2016 hit song, Ojuelegba, is a constant reminder of how Fela's music has become central in the development of today's genre.
Though it referenced Beyoncé as an influence "twenty years after" his demise, I believe it could have done a better with some Nigerian artistes whose music ironically and colloquially termed Afrobeats is gaining a significant global presence. Suffice to say that It would have connected it to a younger generation that need to know more about who Fela was
Nevertheless, it is on the whole a rather commendable approach; one which still stands out because of the brilliant way rare video clips and Fela's soundtracks were used to accomplish a fantastic narrative.