As a tribe all but unknown in the west, the Gnawa people endured a sad history which witnessed them being forcibly dragged away from their original home - in Mali - and carted against their will to a sad new life as Moroccan slaves. Over the course of time, the Gnawas developed a most unusual form of music known as "trance" music, which several western acts, in turn (including jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp and arena rockers Led Zeppelin) fluidly incorporated into their compositions and performances. The acts felt fascinated by the music's status as a grass-roots source of the blues and its ability to forge a "mystical" connection between the players and listeners. The documentary Wijdan: The Mystery of Gnawa Trance Music demonstrates just such a connection as it develops between two otherwise unacquainted musicians and mysteriously pulls them together: Moroccan gnawi musician Brahim and Malian bambarra performer Sibiri. The film also witnesses an extraordinary series of events whereby the performers "transfer" hidden knowledge to their young. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Format: DVD Release Date: 5/13/2008 UPC: 794881856794 Item ID: 952720 Studio: MONDOMIX ProductID: MDMX103DVD Region: All - Audio: PCM stereo Language: French, English Subtitles: English