Mali and USA / 2013 / 74mins / Documentary / French, Tamashek and English

The Last Song Before the War is a documentary that captures the rise and uncertain future of Mali’s annual Festival in the Desert. The festival history is told from the perspective of the festival director Manny Ansar, the musicians who perform, and intrepid travelers from around the world. Against the backdrop of stunning musical performances, the film reveals the challenges and triumphs of creating an artistic event under such challenging economic and political circumstances. After 12 years of success, the Festival in the Desert came to a halt in 2012 when separatist rebels and Islamic militants seized control of Northern Mali. The Last Song Before the War chronicles the 2011 Festival edition, a global display of peace, reconciliation, and the healing power of music.

Kiley Kraskouskas

Kiley Kraskouskas is an award-winning documentary director and producer. Her 2013 film, The Last Song Before the War, documents Mali’s annual Festival in the Desert just before the fall of Northern Mali to Tuareg rebels and Islamic extremists. Premiering in April of 2013, The Last Song Before the War has played in numerous film festivals, including: International Film Festival Rotterdam, Woods Hole Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, D.C. Independent Film Festival (awarded best music documentary), among many others, and is distributed by Kino Smith in Canada. The film was selected by both Pitchfork and NPR Music to stream for their on-lined audiences. In March of 2015, NPR Music called the film “one of the best recently released music documentaries.” Learn More