# Soundtrack to a Coup d'État (2024)

**Genres:** Documentary, History

**Duration:** 150 min

**Age rating:** FSK 16

**IMDb:** [7.8](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14452174/)

**Letterboxd:** [4.2](https://letterboxd.com/film/soundtrack-to-a-coup-detat/)

**Rotten Tomatoes:** [Tomatometer: 97%, Popcornmeter: 97%](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/soundtrack_to_a_coup_detat)

## Description

In the 1960s, many African countries fought for their independence from the European colonial powers. While the Soviet Union and other socialist countries support decolonization, the USA and its Western allies view this with skepticism. Their interest primarily lies in the natural resources which they want to maintain control over.
The USA tries to adopt unconventional methods and sends jazz greats like Louis Armstrong and Nina Simone as ambassadors to African states to portray the West positively, while figures like Malcolm X and other jazz artists solidarize with the independence movement at the same time.

## Details

**Premiere:** 22 Nov 2026 (in 30 days)

**Director:** Johan Grimonprez

**Cast:** Patrice Lumumba, Dag Hammarskjöld, Louis Armstrong, Nikita Khrushchev, Dizzy Gillespie, In Koli Jean Bofane, Larry Devlin, Andrée Blouin, Abbey Lincoln, Malcolm X, Max Roach, Art Blakey

**Countries:** Belgium, France, Netherlands

**Languages:** Arabic, Dutch, English, French, Russian

**Open-air showtimes:** No

**Trailer:** [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RwLdIiZk_8)

## Showtimes in Leipzig

The movie is not showing in cinemas yet. Screenings are expected to begin on 22 Nov 2026.