Part of our “New U.S. Indies and World Cinema” program.
Director: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Country: U.S. (2008)
Language: French, English
Running Time: 102 minutes
Screening: Sunday, March 29, 2009, 5:00 p.m.
Senegalese pop sensation Youssou Ndour has spent the last 20 years in the spotlight as a world-renowned musician and the iconic representative “voice of Africa.” At the height of his career, Youssou became frustrated by the negative perception of his Muslim faith and composed Egypt, a deeply spiritual album dedicated to a more tolerant view of Islam. It was a critical and career-defining moment. Ndour’s brave musical message was wholeheartedly embraced by Western audiences, but ignited serious religious controversy in his homeland of Senegal.
With images of Senegal’s most sacred Muslim rites, vibrant concert performances and intimate portraits of Ndour and his family, I Bring What I Love chronicles the difficult journey Youssou must undertake to assume his true calling. His is a voice of hope and tolerance, and he is a modern day moral and political leader whose message transcends music but remains grounded in the universality of faith.
Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love was an official selection at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. It won the Audience Award for Foreign Documentary at the 2008 São Paulo International Film Festival.
See a preview of Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love.
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