I SHOT BI KIDUDE
the curious kidnap of the world’s oldest singer
UK cinemas: 21 March
www.radiofilm.co.uk #BiKidude
"A doc thriller with a deep emotional core” - Andy Markowitz, Music Film Web I SHOT BI KIDUDE is the latest film by UK filmmaker Andy Jones that tells the story of iconic Zanzibari singer Bi Kidude's kidnapping and subsequent death in April 2013, following on from his first acclaimed feature AS OLD AS MY
TONGUE, that first immortalised Bi Kidude on screen, called "A delight from beginning to end” (The Independent).
I SHOT BI KIDUDE opens in UK cinemas from 21 March before going on general release in Zanzibar (from 17 April) and continuing its world-wide festival tour, with select live music performances from Mim Suleiman performing some of Bi Kidude's most famous songs.
Bi Kidude (pronounced Bee Key-Do-Day) was probably the world’s oldest singer. A 102 year old chain smoking, rebel rocking legend on her home island of Zanzibar and a veteran of music stages across the globe. Her repertoire embraced both classic taarab, a swirling mix of Indian ocean melodies backed by a full orchestra and also raw power drumming on an African msondo drum, with shattering rhythms and shrieking lyrics from age old women’s initiation ceremonies. Bi Kidude’s star rose further when she collaborated with Tanzanian hip-hop outfit Offside Trick; becoming the first Swahili video to hit 1 million youtube views.
In the summer of 2012 Bi Kidude was kidnapped. Unhappy that ‘unscrupulous’ members of the music scene were abusing her goodwill, her nephew Baraka took the ageing star from her home and aired his grievances on national television, slandering everyone he could think of in the process.
News of the saga reached the UK and as the months rolled on with no resolution in sight, Andy returned to Zanzibar to attempt to get to the bottom of the story. The team included veteran DJ and broadcaster Rita Ray (The Shrine, BBC Global Beats) alongside South African cinematographer Natalie Haarhoff.
A helter-skelter shoot ended with the crew involved in brokering a fragile truce between the kidnapper and Bi Kidude’s musical friends, but the ailing icon remained under lock and key and prevented from what she loved doing most - singing.
Just a few weeks later, Bi Kidude was dead. Her final words in AS OLD AS MY TONGUE had been ‘if I stop singing, how will I survive?’ Hearing the news, Andy checked his bank balance, grabbed a camera and headed for the airport. Catching an overnight flight from Heathrow, he arrived in Zanzibar in time to catch the remarkable scenes as Kidude was given a state funeral. Her obituaries in the East African press compared her to Margaret Thatcher, who had been buried in London the day before. Zanzibar’s “iron lady” shared
none of Maggie’s politics, but her iron-like handshake and extraordinary force of character grabbed everyone who met her.
A newly re-mastered AS OLD AS MY TONGUE will also be released online on the anniversary of Bi Kidude's death 17 April, in an innovative strategy, which sees the film premiering online in 44 countries around the world where Bi Kidude performed and where the film has already screened. To unlock more territories - fans are encouraged to host their own screening of either film.
LIVE MUSIC on tour with I SHOT BI KIDUDE
Born and raised in Zanzibar, Mim grew up hearing tales of Bi Kidude and finally met her hero in 2012 when they performed at Zanzibar’s Sauti za Busara music festival. The last known footage of Bi Kidude is a beautiful scene of her being serenaded by Mim. The ‘pint- sized performer with the planet-sized personality’ looks set to inherit Bi Kidude’s mantle as the voice of Zanzibar in years to come. www.mimsuleiman.co.uk
For PR please contact Elizabeth Benjamin emebenjamin@yahoo.com / 07779 081 885
Notes for editors
Screening dates (more tbc):
March 21st - Cambridge Picture House. 6:30pm + Director Q&A
March 25th - iREP Film Festival, LAGOS: FREEDOM PARK Amphitheatre + Director Q&A and live ‘Watch With Me’ #BiKidude tweet along March 25th - Zancinema, ZANZIBAR PRESS LAUNCH - AS OLD AS MY TONGUE & I SHOT
BI KIDUDE + Watch With Me’ #BiKidude tweet along
April 7th - Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 6:30pm + Director Q&A and after party featuring live music by Mim Suleiman - venue tbc
April 14th - Dar es Salaam. VIP screening + Director and cast Q&A live music by Mim Suleiman venue tbc
April 17th onwards - ZANCINEMA Zanzibar - on general release - I SHOT BI KIDUDE - KIFO
CHA BI KIDUDE, AS OLD AS MY TONGUE - MAISHA YA BI
KIDUDE / VOD RELEASE DATE:
March 21st onwards in selected locations worldwide.
10% of all proceeds from screenings will go towards a special fund at the Dhow Countries
Music Academy in Zanzibar to support the development of female musicians.
See Bi Kidude peforming (age 90+) with Swahili rappers OffSide Trick, the first Swahili film
to hit 1 million youtube views. http://bit.ly/1MANL4z
VOD launch of As Old As My Tongue in 44 countries worldwide
where Bi Kidude performed and/or AS OLD AS MY TONGUE has
screened including: CANADA, COMOROS, DENMARK, FRANCE,
GHANA, JAPAN, KENYA, MEXICO, NETHERLANDS, NIGERIA,
POLAND, SOUTH AFRICA, SPAIN, TANZANIA, UK, USA,
ZIMBABWE.
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