A-List: Youssou N’Dour

Jun 11th, 2009 10:59 AM UTC
By Mark.Brinkmoeller

“Listen to it loud!” That was the advice that came with a disc of the new film about long time ONE supporter Youssou N’Dour “I Bring What I Love.” It was good advice. Youssou’s music pulsed energy (and rocked my living room) from the start to the end credits. His personal faith and roots in the West African griot community provide soul while his advocacy on behalf of human rights and the dignity of Africa generate urgency. ONE members will recognize Youssou’s work against malaria in Africa and at the U.S. Capitol as well as a quick scene of Youssou on stage at Live 8.

Some of the publicity around the film describes it this way:

I Bring What I Love is a music-infused cinematic journey about the power of one man’s voice to inspire change. N’Dour is the highest selling African artist of all time and has collaborated with musical superstars like Bono, Neneh Cherry and Peter Gabriel. At home in Senegal, the Grammy-award winning artist is an inspiration for generations. The film chronicles N’Dour, a devout Sufi Muslim, as he releases a deeply personal and religious album called Egypt in the hope of promoting a more tolerant face of Islam. Almost instantly, his fellow Senegalese reject the album, and denounce his actions as blasphemous. Director Chai Vasarhelyi follows N’Dour for over two years–filming in Africa, Europe, and America–to tell the story of how he faces these challenges and eventually wins over audiences both at home and abroad

The film opens in New York City this Friday at the Paris theater (midtown), IFC Center (west village) & BAM Rose cinemas. It will play in cities across the U.S. as well. You can get the details at http://www.ibringwhatilove.com/.

Listen to it loud.

-Mark Brinkmoeller

TAGS: A-List, Music, ONE