A Visit To Ali Farka Touré

Winner of a Grammy Award for the album Talking Timbuktu, on which he played with Ry Cooder and other American luminaries, the legendary African singer and guitarist Ali Farka Touré now declines most offers of international tours and recording sessions. Feeling that it was weakening the link between his music and its source in deep Mali, Al invests much of his time, energy and resources towards improving conditions in his homeland, whilst never diminishing his passion for music. This film visits the charismatic Ali in Niafunké, a village on the banks of the River Niger, where he goes about his daily business, checking crops and water pumps, and fulfilling his role and responsibilities as an important local figure. Music is an integral part of this encounter and live recordings include: Mali Dje, Gomni, Chanson sur Niafunké, Keito and Tulumba. Deep, mysterious and utterly compelling, his playing lights up this striking documentary.