A crossing from the West to the East of the Sahel accompanied by the Malian activist singer, Inna Modja. A hymn of hope carried through the documentary "The Great Green Wall" by Jared P. Scott, in theaters since June 22.
What exactly is The Great Green Wall?
The Great Green Wall is the ambition of a colossal project. That of creating a vegetation belt to combat desertification, revitalize the ecosystem, and create solidarity projects in African communities. An ambitious bet and project along the edge of the Sahel, from Senegal to Djibouti over 8000 kilometers. An initiative launched and implemented in 2007.
This crossing of the Sahel experienced by the singer Inna Modja, tells us the story of the Great Green Wall and the challenge it reflects. However, it is necessary to understand what is at stake in this project. Repairing the land today is a question of survival, as evidenced by the example of the Amazon rainforest. This is not only an African problem but a global problem.
"WE MUST DARE TO INVENT THE FUTURE" – Thomas Sankara
The documentary begins with this quote from Thomas Sankara, revolutionary statesman and former president of Burkina Faso (1983-1987). A visionary, he demanded power from the people who were also fighting against desertification. An emblematic figure who strongly inspired the intricacies of this film by his leadership of the African independence movement.
A pilgrimage full of music to pay tribute to her that Inna Modja offers us. Committed to amplifying Thomas Sankara's message, and making people understand that power is in their hands and that we must act where we are.
"Creating an African dream".
Landscapes, faces, stories. Inna Modja in the studio, on sets or during her many meetings, takes on the role of journalist, in search of stories and truths to relegate. A certain desire to show the daily life of Africans who live and fight to find solutions and respond to this climate change. Stories that aim to create an African dream to fight against immigration and make natives want to stay in their country.
Denouncing in music
From Senegal to Mali, via Nigeria and Niger, to Ethiopia, Inna Modja takes us on a journey through a rich and multicultural Africa. Music is inseparable from Africa and there is a lot of music in the Sahel, women sing while planting. That's why, according to the singer, "music had to be one of the protagonists of the film. »
An activist for fifteen years, she wants to give people hope that there is a dream here in Africa:
"We have culture, we have traditions, we have music"
And this is what she fights for, to share through her words and her voice a strong message, that of having hope. Music is thus used for the benefit of these individual stories, these stories of communities, the history of the Great Green Wall.
A soundtrack produced by Inna Modja where we discover a mix at the level of the instruments. With the bias of choosing a lot of traditional instruments mixed with more modern instruments in order to bring together all the music of the Sahel.
As she puts it so well, music is what keeps us alive. It is visceral and essential, and it is this temperature of Bamako where we breathe music, its strength and the message of hope, a story where we take our destiny in hand that Inna Modja wants to transcribe and succeeds.
In addition, this documentary attests to many collaborations including the following titles: "Insh' Allah" with Didier Awadi (hip-hop artist, member of Positive Black Soul) in Senegal, then the title "African Dream" with the group named "Songhoy Blues" in Mali, but also "I Got you" with pop star Waje (artist committed to the struggle of women) in Nigeria and finally the title "Rise" with Betty G (singer and songwriter) in Ethiopia.
"This is Us, We are talking about us"
At the center of this documentary: Africa. To relay in the background, through this project and this film is to make a place and place at the table of the world this continent too often forgotten. Turning a blind eye to what is happening does not solve the problems, quite the contrary, and it is giving Africans the opportunity to realize their dreams from scratch. This is what the singer Inna Modja advocates. Collect analyses, testimonies, videos, archives in order to show and make the rest of the world understand the importance of Africa. This fight led by Africans for Africans, and especially for future generations, is synonymous with a second chance. With the rise of concerns, it is a fight today for a better Africa, an optimistic vision.
Getting rid of preconceptions and representations. A message conveyed by Inna Modja through this documentary and her new album. Give opportunities and above all hope. The hope of an African dream.
"We have conflicts, we have poverty, but we have much more. »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB1qK_yBVxU
A syncretism of cultures, customs, religions, condensed music. And at the heart of this documentary: hope, sharing, information, courage, joy and discovery. In association with the United Nations to combat desertification, "The Great Green Wall" is not only an agricultural project, but it is above all a human project.
