Zao.

Format:

Video

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cultural anthropology.

Africa.

Congolese.

Ethnomusicology.

Folklore.

Cultural identity.

Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Local Subjects:

Cultural anthropology.

Africa.

Congolese.

Ethnomusicology.

Folklore.

Cultural identity.

Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Genre:

Documentary

Physical Description:

1 online resource (58 minutes)

Place of Publication:

Paris, Ile-de-France : Qwest TV, 2009.

Language Note:

In English.

In French.

Original language in French.

Original language in English.

System Details:

video file

Summary:

In this 2009 hour-long film, ZAO, by the renowned French-Congolese director David-Pierre Fila, the showcase is the remarkable life of modern-day griot Zao, an acoustic guitarist and poet who not only steeps his music in the Congolese heritage but also became a socio-political critic of the changing visage of his homeland’s governmental regimes. At home in his Brazzaville city in the Congo, Zao (born Casimir Zao, but best known by just his last name) is profiled as he travels around the country with his guitar case slung over his shoulder. His music is rhythmically earthy, and his voice resonates with strength. He’s a storyteller, singing "happy" songs in hopeful times as well as fierce tunes in turmoiled times about the world playing with fire—all the time advocating that war is not good, but championing the power of music to build Africa as the solution. Two musical highlights from the film with underlying metaphoric meaning are an ode to a tiny but painful mosquito sung in a boat as he is paddled down the river, and "Needles," that he espouses are needed to repair the cultural damage. ZAO, in French and with English subtitles, is not a concert film, but a fascinating documentary of community, capturing Zao’s reflective wisdom where "our force comes from our ancestors." Dan Ouellette

Notes:

Title from resource description page (viewed July 15, 2024).