MUSIC IS THE WEAPON is a 1982 documentary describing the trials and tribulations of Fela Kuti, the Nigerian musician and human rights activist who never stopped calling for an end to corruption in spite of beatings and imprisonment. The context of the film is Fela's hopes for the upcoming 1983 presidential election, which subsequently came to naught when the government refused to recognize his candidacy.


Directors: Jean-Jacques Flori, Stéphane Tchalgadjieff (as Stephane Tchal-Gadjieff)

France, 1982, Documentary, 52 mins, Music

Stars: Fela Kuti, Martin Luther King, Pope John Paul II

English Title: Fela Kuti: Music Is the Weapon
Original (French) Title: Musique au poing
World-wide (English title) (literal title): Music with a Fist

Country of Production: France
Country of Shooting: Nigeria
Languages: English | French
Runtime: 54 min (French-language) | 52 min (English-language)
Sound Mix: Stereo
Color: Color
Aspect Ratio: 1.44 : 1
Negative Format: 16 mm / 8 mm
Printed Film Format: 16 mm / Video

Filming Locations: Lagos, Nigeria


Production Companies
K.I.C.S.
France 2 (FR2)
Ministère de la Culture, France (support)

Distributors
Universal Music & Video Distribution (UMVD) (2002) (World-wide) (all media)
Barclay (1999) (Non-US) (all media)
Geffen Records (2003) (USA) (DVD)
Knitting Factory Records (2010) (USA) (all media)
Wrasse Records (2005) (UK) (DVD)