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GLOBAL RHYTHMS

Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love

CHAI VASARHELYI
Senegal, France, Egypt, USA, 2008, 102 minutes, Color
In Person: Director Chai Vasarhelyi

At the beginning of this decade, Youssou N'Dour, the "golden-voiced" Senegalese singer-songwriter conceived an album that would express his vision of Islam. This revealing documentary details the making of Youssou N'Dour's gorgeous 2004 CD "Egypt" and the reaction to it. A devout Sufi, N'Dour wanted his European and North American fans to understand that his faith is tolerant and mystical. "Egypt" was recorded in that country, with Arab-style orchestral arrangements largely supplanting Senegalese rhythms. Then 9/11 happened, and N'Dour postponed the disc's release. After it was finally heard, the album proved more controversial in West Africa than in the West. While winning a Grammy in the United States, "Egypt" was assailed as sacrilegious in Senegal. The film follows N'Dour from Cairo to Dakar to Carnegie Hall as he collaborates with such musicians as British art-rocker (and longtime supporter) Peter Gabriel and Egyptian orchestra maestro Fathy Salama.—Mark Jenkins

In French, Wolof, English, and Arabic with English subtitles

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