They Will Have to Kill Us First

MISSED IT DURING MSPIFF?

You're in luck: They Will Have To Kill Us First will be returning to the Film Society for a theatrical run, beginning May 13. CLICK HERE to browse the full list of dates and showtimes as soon as they're available.

Music, one of the most important forms of communication in Mali, disappeared overnight in 2012 when Islamic extremists groups rose up to capture an area the size of the UK and France combined. But rather than lay down their instruments, Mali’s musicians fought back. They Will Have To Kill Us First is a feature-length documentary following musicians in Mali in the wake of a jihadist takeover and subsequent banning of music.

Press

"A vibrant testimony of resilience under oppression." - New York Times

"Johanna Schwartz's survey of Mali's musical life post—Shariah law stands as an invigorating rebuke to Hollywood" - Village Voice

Director's Bio

JOHANNA SCHWARTZ Johanna is an award-winning American born, UK based film-maker who creates thought-provoking documentaries with a profound sense of place and time, and a highly praised natural filming style. Working across the world, with a particular focus on Africa, she has produced and directed films for broadcasters such as the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, Discovery, National Geographic, The History Channel, PBS, CNBC, CNN , MTV among others. The films she has worked on have won numerous awards including TV Story of the Year at the Foreign Press Association Media Awards and a Prix Italia nomination. As a director she has won Gold at the New York Film and Television Festival as well as receiving over 100 “picks of the day” in the British press. This is her feature length film debut as a director.

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