The US exploits Louis Armstrong's concerts to support covert operations in Africa
- The documentary explores the covert use of jazz music by the US intelligence services during the Cold War.
- It highlights the assassination of Patrice Lumumba by various foreign powers concerned about his leadership.
- The film illustrates the complexities of American politics and how cultural events were manipulated for ulterior motives.
In the early 1960s, the American intelligence services devised a new strategy during the Cold War, utilizing jazz music and its prominent artists as tools in their diplomatic efforts in Africa. This strategy included the sponsorship of Louis Armstrong's African tour, which was presented as a cultural outreach while actually serving to conceal the presence of American operatives. The American government feared that Patrice Lumumba, the leftist leader of Congo, who had been elected in 1960, might prevent western access to the country’s valuable uranium resources, crucial for nuclear armament. Consequently, Lumumba's assassination in 1961 was orchestrated by various external actors, including the US, the UN, and Belgium, indicating the lengths to which these powers would go to counteract Lumumba’s influence and the growing anti-colonial sentiment in Africa. Grimonprez's documentary highlights how music, often seen as a bridge, was manipulated in the intricate web of international politics, showcasing a sinister aspect of American foreign policy during this time.