Fonko


A feature film by Lamin Daniel Jadama, Göran Olsson & Lars Lovén

Fonko is a feature length documentary about social and political changes in the new Africa as seen through an avalanche of striking, innovative and visual music.

In the Manding language Fonko means “the thing”, in Wolof “to take care of each other”. The great musical revolution of today takes place in Africa, where urban club music is merging with traditional styles. New technology and swift communications has released super talents of the continent, spreading music, arts and ideas to the rest of the world. 

In Fonko we meet some of the most outspoken, creative and interesting artists of today that redefines the image of Africa, traveling from Dakar in the west through Accra, Lagos and Luanda to Johannesburg in the south. Throughout the movie we also hear the voice of Fela Kuti, one of the continent’s greatest musical icons and political activists. Fela speaks through early recorded interviews.

Rent/buy on Vimeo On Demand (Nordic countries only). English subtitles.


Watch film

Production facts:

Year of production: 2015/2016

Shooting format: HD
Duration: 87 minutes
Directors: Lamin Daniel Jadama, Göran Olsson & Lars Lovén
Producer: Tobias Janson
Camera: Ania Winiarska, Lamin Daniel Jadama, Göran Olsson & Lars Lovén
Editing: Limpasen Game
Graphic design: Sepidar Hosseini

Produced by Story AB

in co-production with WDR/Jutta Krug, First Hand Films/Esther van Messel, with support from the Swedish Film Institute/Cecilia Lidin and Nordisk Film & TV Fond/Karolina Lidin

World Sales: First Hand Films

Other films

Wanted to be friends
A film by Marika Heidebäck
Ikon South Africa
A platform for the creative documentary
After You
A film by Marius Dybwad Brandrud
Ruth
A film by Hanna Heilborn
She’s Wild Again Tonight
A film by Fia-Stina Sandlund
Fonko
A film by Lamin Daniel Jadama, Göran Olsson & Lars Lovén
I Must Away
A film by Dennis Harvey
Sara-Vide Ericson
A feature film by by Jacob Frössén
00-Baby Boom Child
A film by Maja Lindström
That Summer
A film by Göran Hugo Olsson
Lucky One
A film by Mia Engberg