Documentary Reflection: Soundtrack to Coup d'État

Soundtrack to Coup d'État

My reflections on the Documentary

Last week I watched Soundtrack to Coup d'État, a powerful documentary sponsored by Jazz and Justice Radio WPFW and the Friends of the Congo to celebrate International Jazz Day. My brother recommended it to me, and I’m really glad I took the time to see it.

The film focuses on the rise and assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Congo. What really stood out to me was how it used jazz to tell the story. Artists like Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong, and Dizzy Gillespie are featured throughout. The music brings so much emotional depth, and it also plays a historical role. One of the things I didn’t know before watching was that a lot of these musicians actually traveled to the Congo during that time. Some of those trips were used as cover for CIA operations, which was wild to learn.

The film breaks down how the U.S., especially during the Cold War, saw Congo’s independence and Lumumba’s leadership as a threat. Congo is rich in resources, including uranium that was used in the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. So outside powers, especially the U.S. and Belgium, had a strong interest in keeping control over the country. Lumumba’s insistence on sovereignty and Congolese ownership of their own resources didn’t align with that agenda.

What was especially disturbing was the language used by the mercenaries and political operatives who worked to remove him. They talked about him like he wasn’t human. I already knew the general story, but hearing it in their own words was a whole other level. It was cold, casual, and terrifying.

Unfortunately I couldn’t stay for the post-screening discussion—it was getting late—but I plan to watch the movie again, more slowly this time, so I can sit with everything it brought up. You can rent it on YouTube, and other platforms.

A poignant part of the film was seeing how Black Americans responded to Lumumba’s assassination. Malcolm X is featured throughout, speaking on Lumumba’s importance and tying it to struggles happening in the U.S. He framed segregation not just as a civil rights issue but as a human rights issue that needed to be brought before the United Nations. After Lumumba’s death, African Americans protested—some even disrupted a UN meeting. Maya Angelou and several jazz artists were among those who raised their voices. The film includes actual footage of that protest, which I didn’t expect to see. That moment of transatlantic solidarity was powerful.

Living in D.C., I’m surrounded by a strong activist and African diaspora community. Events like this remind me how important it is to stay engaged and to reflect on the stories that shape our collective memory. I plan to write more about films, events, and conversations like this one that highlight Black diaspora experiences.

Thanks for reading. If you get a chance, I definitely recommend watching Soundtrack to Coup d'État. It gives you a lot to think about, and it’s a film I won’t forget anytime soon.