Rain the Color of Blue with a Little Red in It

December 14, 2016 · Scruffy City Hall · 8:00 p.m.

You’ve heard the music. Now hear the story. Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar stars in his first film, a revolutionary story of guitars, motorcycles, cellphones – and the music of a new generation.

Deep in the Saharan desert, in the raucous city of Agadez, the electric guitar reigns supreme and rock musicians will do anything to survive. Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai (Rain the Color of Blue with a little Red in it) tells the story of one man and his struggle to make it, against all odds. Following his dream, he must endure fierce competition, family strife, and the trials of love – and come face to face with his biggest rival: himself. Tuareg guitar like you’ve never seen it before, in the first ever Tuareg language production.

“Moctar and his playing are enough to make this a must-see, but Kirkley is too savvy just to trust that audiences will turn up for some of the globe’s greatest music. Instead, he’s built his film around a hook that should prove irresistible to crate-diggers and oddity-seekers around the world: He’s pitching this as Niger’s Purple Rain, right down to father issues, a Morris Day-like rival, a hero who needs to learn to give his bandmates’ song ideas a chance, and the hot-violet motorbike on which Moctar putters across sunbaked flatlands with his love interest (Ghaicha Ibrahim) hanging on tight.” — Village Voice