DORR Film Club – Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat

Greetings film fans, how about a conversation about Soundtrack for a Coup d’Etat on Friday July 18, 2025, at 5:00 in person at Basecamp Beer Garden, 70 Dry Creek Road, Sedona.

In July we switch to US foreign policy and a 2024 political documentary.  Soundtrack for a Coup d’Etat focuses on the rise to power and eventual C.I.A-led assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Lumumba was elected in May 1960, shortly before the Congo gained its independence from Belgium, and served until his murder in January 1961. Rich with natural resources that were vital, among other things, to Western countries’ weapons of war, the Congo had been colonized by Belgium since the late 19th century.  Both Belgium and the US perceived Lumumba as a political threat; the US fearing a Soviet foothold in Africa and Belgium wanting to protect mining profits.  With a memorable jazz soundtrack, Soundtrack for a Coup d’Etat is described as “rhythmic and propulsive, with reverberating sound and images juxtaposed against one another to lend more meaning.” According to The New York Times Alissa Wilkinson, “Soundtrack makes an explicit connection between what happened in Congo in 1960 and ongoing conflict today. These events occurred a while ago, but they’re not really history, Soundtrack argues. The past, one might say, is never dead. It’s not even past.”

Watch the film (on your own, streaming on Amazon Prime) and join us for a timely conversation on US foreign policy, the Cold War, neo colonialism and more.  We look forward to seeing you on Friday, July 18 at 5:00 at Base Camp.   DORR’s political film club is hosted by DORR member Mik Jordahl (Attorney) and Board member Frankie Riemer (Professor).