They Will Have to Kill Us First

Spoken: Francais/Songhai/Bambara/Tamashek. Subtitles: English.

When radical jihadists take control of Northern Mali in 2012, they ban all music and establish sharia law. Radio stations are destroyed, instruments are burned and musicians face torture, even death. Many musicians from Timbuktu and other cities flee to the relative safety of Bamako in Southern Mali. The film follows four musicians who are now refugees: Khaira Arby, Fadimata “Disco” Walet Oumar, the Songhoy Blues, and Moussa Sidi. Nothing can stop these musicians from playing music but death.