History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.

Soundtrack to a Coup d’État is a powerful archival documentary that dives into one of the 20th century’s great untold stories — how jazz, politics, and colonial power collided in 1960s Congo.

As African nations fought for independence, Western powers scrambled to maintain control. In newly independent Congo, the CIA moved behind the scenes to orchestrate the assassination of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. At the same time, the U.S. sent jazz legend Louis Armstrong on a “diplomatic” tour — a cultural smokescreen to distract from the unfolding coup. But the plan didn’t go unnoticed. Artists like Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach brought their protest to the floor of the United Nations, while Nina Simone, John Coltrane, and others used music to fight back.

Directed by Johan Grimonprez, this remarkable film brings the Cold War era vividly to life using only archival footage. Drawing on official memos, eyewitness accounts, CIA testimony, and electrifying performances from the greats of jazz, the film reveals how music was used as both a tool of empire and a voice of resistance.

More than a history lesson, Soundtrack to a Coup d’État is a thrilling and urgent look at how culture, politics, and power collide — and how the fight for justice continues to echo today.