Suffering and Smiling

Since Nigeria's independence in 1960, its problems have only gotten worse. Fela Anikulapo Kuti was a singer and political activist who used straightforward political songs to expose wrongdoing in the country. When the British left Nigeria, the least capable group of people came to power. The last thing they wanted was to thwart economic ties with other countries. As a result, multinationals poured into the country, especially in 1956, when the largest oil well in Africa was discovered in Nigeria. Agriculture, which had provided a vulnerable but sustainable economic balance, was destroyed by the oil fields. The multinationals and corrupt leaders of the country did not give the people anything in return. The economy collapsed completely. Nowadays, the only thing that is produced in Nigeria is beer, and the rest is imported at great cost. Suffering and Smiling is a compelling documentary that portrays Fela Anikulapo Kuti as a champion of the rights of the common people and depicts Femi, his son and successor, as an equally militant political activist. Accounts by relatives characterise the men and their music. Occasional archive footage illustrates Nigeria's history and the music mercilessly spells out the irreversible situation. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)