MIAMI FILM FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

By Athule Mbekeni

I am convinced music is the highest form of spirituality. In Bakoso: Afrobeats of Cuba, the director Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi takes us on a journey through music and spirituality. Bakoso focuses on DJ Rigue’s journey to his hometown Santiago de Cuba where he explores a new genre of music called Bakoso. His Story is not only driven by his love for African beats but also African spirituality.

The portrayal of music, dance, and tradition through music is magnificently captured throughout the film, particularly in the images of a part of Cuba that is not often seen by the world. Through DJ Rigue’s journey, we see a world of culture, music, and dance that makes one come alive. When he meets his old friends who are already popular in Santiago for introducing this genre on music through their performances and songs, it becomes clear that he must help introduce this music to the whole world.

It is beautiful to see music and traditions from Africa being celebrated and embraced. Being South African, living in a modern world, I often take for granted the uniqueness of our culture. Therefore, it is important to me to make sure that our music, traditions, and spirituality is not forgotten but celebrated in the world. To see Cubans celebrate these roots made me feel a sense of belonging and pride.

How the film was told was fitting to the director, as it was an excellent follow up to his past films: Homegrown: A Hiplife in Ghana, and Inventos: Hip Hop Cubana. His mission is evident in his storytelling, that music is a way of bringing us together, and that Cubans are indeed Africans. Bokoso took me back to my roots. I danced to the rhythm because I knew them well, I sang to the beats and felt moved by the spirit. The way that the documentary was filmed was not a typical interview style; neither was is a cinematic narrative style. It was filmed in a unique way that made me feel like I was physically being transported on this journey with DJ Rigue.

Watching this film made me learn that music does indeed make a full circle. As the director said, his inspiration came from Africa through Afro-beats, and now he is using this film to take the music back to Africa.