Film: Soundtrack to a Coup d' État

Tonight was film again. So, what I came up with was Soundtrack to a Coup d' État, a fascinating documentary about events in the UN in 1960, with the entry of a host of newly independent African nations, shifting the balance of power. We get Khrushchev banging his fist, we get Eisenhower - and we get a political assassination. Lots of shenanigans - and all to a rocking jazz soundtrack. Showing in the ICA.

I left a little later than intended, but the bus fairly flew - until we were nearly at my stop, when we hit horribly heavy traffic. When we were finally let off, happily, Google Maps had provided me with a terrific little shortcut, down Spring Gardens, then onto a pedestrian passageway that took me straight to the Mall. So handy - albeit there was a chap pissing in the corner. And wouldn't you know it, I made it on time! Had to queue for a ticket, then slipped into the cinema behind another couple, and sat in the same row as they did, which was mostly empty, so as to minimise disruption (open seating, here). We were only on the trailers, anyway. And wow, it was lovely and warm - a fan heater by the door counteracted the bitter night air.

The film is a riot of music - several famous names are interviewed. But they do more than provide a soundtrack - we learn how their tours of Africa were used as cover for the CIA's covert operations! Dunno how that ties in with Malcolm X, whom we get to see riding a camel.. Most of the film centres on the story of the Congo, where we get to see Louis Armstrong tour. You'll never guess.. another CIA cover..

The central story involves the independence of the Congo from Belgium - now, Congo's blessing, and misfortune, was its incredibly mineral-rich southern province of Katanga. Which was exporting much of its produce - including, crucially, uranium - to the US. They had a nice deal going with the Belgians, and with the local mining company. Except then Lumumba was elected to lead Congo - and funnily enough, he rather objected to foreign interference in the country, seeing it as an ongoing symptom of colonialism..

I've wondered, over the years, what it takes to make the UN achieve anything. I've seen it sit on its hands as war after penurious war racks the world - but I never felt so disgusted at it as I am after seeing this documentary. They held a meeting about Congo - to which Lumumba was not invited. The CIA leaned on the UN to deny him permission to come - they also denied him a visa. A number of people in the film mention how the UN is peppered with American "arm-twisters" - CIA influencers, making sure people vote the way they're supposed to.

So much for democracy, so much for the fledgling hopes of a new country, one of many recently free. Africa was used as a proxy for the Cold War, and they carved the continent up - possibly worse than the original imperialists did. People interviewed in this film are scathing about what was done. At least the descriptions of the sort of tools used - possibly in Lumumba's assassination, too - were ingenious - very James Bond.

It's a fun film to watch - less so as the music falls away, and they get more serious with the politics. By the end, I found it hard to stomach hearing any more about the UN, an institution I used to respect. The descriptions of UN troops standing by, decade after decade, watching the killings happen, rings so true..

But it never descends too deeply into despair. And I did love the photos of Castro and Khrushchev, hanging out together in Harlem.. Highly recommended if you get the chance to see it. Very eye-opening.

Afterwards, I was too late to get anything substantial to eat - in most places, anyway. So I took myself up to the nearby Trafalgar Square Christmas market, where The Grill House was still serving burgers. So I had a cheeseburger - a decent beef patty, with an Easi Single on top, in a slightly stale bun. £10. Sauces available on the side. And never has a burger tasted so good, nice and hot on this Arctic evening.

The bus home took forever to come - and wouldn't you know it, despite me pressing the button in good time, he sailed past my stop, and I had to walk back from the next! Would have complained, but the site still doesn't seem to be working properly, after that cyber attack..

Tomorrow, another social with The Hideout and their sister group, Movie Roadhouse London, at the BFI Riverfront Bar - this one is fetchingly called Frost Descent. How appropriate. Eating beforehand at The Archduke, as usual.

On Thursday, the Crick Crack Club has an event in The Cube, Bristol - which has the advantage of having streaming tickets, one of which I've bought. I'll probably be in the office that day, and for once yes, heading home afterwards! The event is The Three Snake Leaves - and ironically, is happening in King's Place in January, which I'd have preferred - I always prefer to go to things in person, and especially storytelling. But never mind..

Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. No films left there that I haven't seen, and would like to see! On Monday, unless something else crops up, I'm thinking of just heading around the Southbank Winter Market..

Next Tuesday - yes, film again, and indeed, documentary again. This time, it's The Ballymurphy Precedent - about the Ballymurphy massacre, where 11 innocent people were killed by members of the British Parachute Regiment - the same regiment that would be responsible for Bloody Sunday, five months later. As someone in the film rightly points out, now, if the Ballymurphy massacre had been properly investigated, likely Bloody Sunday wouldn't have happened.. and it was the catalyst for so much more.. Complete with intro, it's happening at the BFI, and was selling strongly, so I booked. Eating at The Archduke again afterwards.

On the 27th, I'm planning to head to the Theatre Royal Haymarket with Up in the Cheap Seats, who are going to see Waiting for Godot - I always love Beckett. Stars Ben Whishaw. Someone from the group has decided she'd rather a sun holiday, so I'll see whether I can get her ticket, which is a decent one.

And on the 28th, I'm thinking of film again - Cure is an unusually highly rated horror film, showing at the Prince Charles. Set in Japan, where a detective is flummoxed by a series of inexplicable murders, committed by people who all seem to have lost all trace of memory of the event!