Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat

2025 · Johan Grimonprez

At a glance

Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat is a documentary directed by Johan Grimonprez about a Cold War episode involving Congo and the United Nations Security Council. American musicians Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach entered the council chamber in protest over the murder of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba. The film includes excerpts from Andrée Blouin's My Country, Africa, In Koli Jean Bofane's Congo Inc. and Conor Cruise O'Brien's To Katanga and Back, as well as audio memoirs by Nikita Khrushchev. Its runtime is 150 minutes. Belgium, France and the Netherlands are listed as its countries, with Daan Milius and Rémi Grellety named as producers. The entry lists a 2025 release and documentary-film genre, while its summary describes it as a 2024 film.

Who it is for

Suited to viewers interested in Cold War history, Congo and the protest involving Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach. Its use of literary excerpts and Khrushchev's audio memoirs may interest students examining historical documentary materials.

What is good

Addresses a Cold War episode involving Congo
Features Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach
Includes excerpts from three books
Includes audio memoirs by Nikita Khrushchev

What to know first

150-minute runtime
The listed release year and summary year differ

Verdict

This documentary centers on a specific Cold War episode and protest at the UN Security Council. Its long runtime and use of texts and audio memoirs shape its approach to the subject.

Details

Year: 2025wikidata.org · 3 Oct 2026
Runtime: 150 minwikidata.org · 3 Oct 2026
Director: Johan Grimonprezwikidata.org · 3 Oct 2026
Country: Belgium, France, Netherlandswikidata.org · 3 Oct 2026
IMDb: tt14452174wikidata.org · 3 Oct 2026

Listed on DocumentaryTube

New Documentaries of the 2020s3059 listed
Documentaries Directed by Johan Grimonprez4 listed

Sources

wikidata.org/wiki/Q124365100· checked 3 Oct 2026
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundtrack_to_a_Coup_d%27Etat· checked 2 Oct 2026
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundtrack_to_a_Coup_d'Etat· checked 3 Oct 2026