Although in 2011 Mali remains one of poorest countries in the world, the West African nation is also a stable, Islamic democracy where different ethnic and religious groups– as well as men and women– live together in relative harmony and equality. In addition to its strong democratic institutions, Mali is home to some of the most revered music in the world. Its musical identity and strong creative traditions are in part what make Mali such a vibrant nation, and are core themes we intend to capture in this documentary film.

Essakane Film is a feature length documentary about the most remote music festival in the world—the Festival au Désert—and the battle to make it happen. Once a year, just outside of Timbuktu in the sand dunes of the Sahara, a music festival that serves to sustain peace and resolve regional conflict rocks the socks off an audience of thousands for three days straight. From Robert Plant to Jimmy Buffett, musicians from around the world have journeyed through the mystical terrain of the Sahara to jam with Malian, Tuareg, and West African musicians at the Festival au Désert.

As a homegrown approach to sustaining peace, democracy, and for developing tourism in Mali, the festival has brought significant cultural awareness and economic development to the local communities in the region and the tourism sector in Mali. But sadly, over the past few years, security warnings issued by Western governments have increased, affecting the attendance at the festival and threatening its viability. But that will not stop the festival organizers, the community, and the musicians who rock the stage from putting on another

The film is currently in pre-production and development. In January of 2011 the filmmakers will travel to Timbuktu to film the Festival au Désert and conduct interviews with many of the film’s characters. The intended release of the film is January of 2012.

Essakane Film from Essakane Film on Vimeo.

No related posts.