I SHOT BI KIDUDE

the curious kidnap of the worlds oldest singer

UK cinemas: 21 March

www.radiofilm.co.uk #BiKidude
"A doc thriller with a deep emotional core - Andy Markowitz, Music Film Web

I SHOT BI KIDUDE is the latest film by UK filmmaker Andy Jones that tells the
story of iconic Zanzibari singer Bi Kidude's kidnapping and subsequent death
in April 2013, following on from his first acclaimed feature AS OLD AS MY
TONGUE, that first immortalised Bi Kidude on screen, called "A delight from
beginning to end (The Independent).
I SHOT BI KIDUDE opens in UK cinemas from 21 March before going on
general release in Zanzibar (from 17 April) and continuing its world-wide
festival tour, with select live music performances from Mim Suleiman
performing some of Bi Kidude's most famous songs.
Bi Kidude (pronounced Bee Key-Do-Day) was probably the worlds oldest singer. A 102 year
old chain smoking, rebel rocking legend on her home island of Zanzibar and a veteran of
music stages across the globe. Her repertoire embraced both classic taarab, a swirling mix
of Indian ocean melodies backed by a full orchestra and also raw power drumming on an
African msondo drum, with shattering rhythms and shrieking lyrics from age old womens
initiation ceremonies. Bi Kidudes star rose further when she collaborated with Tanzanian
hip-hop outfit Oside Trick; becoming the first Swahili video to hit 1 million youtube views.

In the summer of 2012 Bi Kidude was kidnapped. Unhappy that unscrupulous members of
the music scene were abusing her goodwill, her nephew Baraka took the ageing star from
her home and aired his grievances on national television, slandering everyone he could
think of in the process.
News of the saga reached the UK and as the months rolled on with no resolution in sight,
Andy returned to Zanzibar to attempt to get to the bottom of the story. The team included
veteran DJ and broadcaster Rita Ray (The Shrine, BBC Global Beats) alongside South
African cinematographer Natalie Haarho.
A helter-skelter shoot ended with the crew involved in brokering a fragile truce between the
kidnapper and Bi Kidudes musical friends, but the ailing icon remained under lock and key
and prevented from what she loved doing most - singing.
Just a few weeks later, Bi Kidude was dead. Her final words in AS OLD AS MY TONGUE had
been if I stop singing, how will I survive? Hearing the news, Andy checked his bank
balance, grabbed a camera and headed for the airport. Catching an overnight flight from
Heathrow, he arrived in Zanzibar in time to catch the remarkable scenes as Kidude was
given a state funeral. Her obituaries in the East African press compared her to Margaret
Thatcher, who had been buried in London the day before. Zanzibars iron lady shared
none of Maggies politics, but her iron-like handshake and extraordinary force of character
grabbed everyone who met her.

A newly re-mastered AS OLD AS MY TONGUE will also be released online on the

anniversary of Bi Kidude's death 17 April, in an innovative strategy, which sees the
film premiering online in 44 countries around the world where Bi Kidude performed
and where the film has already screened. To unlock more territories - fans are
encouraged to host their own screening of either film.
LIVE MUSIC on tour with I SHOT BI KIDUDE

Born and raised in Zanzibar, Mim grew up hearing tales of Bi Kidude and finally met her
hero in 2012 when they performed at Zanzibars Sauti za Busara music festival. The last
known footage of Bi Kidude is a beautiful scene of her being serenaded by Mim. The pintsized performer with the planet-sized personality looks set to inherit Bi Kidudes mantle as
the voice of Zanzibar in years to come. www.mimsuleiman.co.uk

For PR please contact Elizabeth Benjamin emebenjamin@yahoo.com / 07779 081 885

Notes for editors

Screening dates (more tbc):
March 21st - Cambridge Picture House. 6:30pm + Director Q&A
March 25th - iREP Film Festival, LAGOS: FREEDOM PARK Amphitheatre + Director Q&A and
live Watch With Me #BiKidude tweet along
March 25th - Zancinema, ZANZIBAR PRESS LAUNCH - AS OLD AS MY TONGUE & I SHOT
BI KIDUDE + Watch With Me #BiKidude tweet along
April 7th - Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 6:30pm + Director Q&A and after party featuring
live music by Mim Suleiman - venue tbc
April 14th - Dar es Salaam. VIP screening + Director and cast Q&A live music by Mim
Suleiman venue tbc
April 17th onwards - ZANCINEMA Zanzibar - on general release - I SHOT BI KIDUDE - KIFO
CHA BI KIDUDE, AS OLD AS MY TONGUE - MAISHA YA BI KIDUDE / VOD RELEASE DATE:
March 21st onwards in selected locations worldwide.
10% of all proceeds from screenings will go towards a special fund at the Dhow Countries
Music Academy in Zanzibar to support the development of female musicians.
See Bi Kidude peforming (age 90+) with Swahili rappers OSide Trick, the first Swahili film
to hit 1 million youtube views. http://bit.ly/1MANL4z
VOD launch of As Old As My Tongue in 44 countries worldwide
where Bi Kidude performed and/or AS OLD AS MY TONGUE has
screened including: CANADA, COMOROS, DENMARK, FRANCE,
GHANA, JAPAN, KENYA, MEXICO, NETHERLANDS, NIGERIA,
POLAND, SOUTH AFRICA, SPAIN, TANZANIA, UK, USA,
ZIMBABWE.
For a full list of countries see www.radiofilm.co.uk

ends