They Will Have to Kill Us First
BBC Worldwide Americas | Release Date: March 4, 2016 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
67
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Critic Reviews
Positive:
3
Mixed:
2
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisMar 3, 2016
Johanna Schwartz’s miraculously hopeful documentary, They Will Have to Kill Us First: Malian Music in Exile, delivers a vibrant testimony of resilience under oppression. Read full review
70
Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlMar 2, 2016
As a look at geopolitics, the film is limited, but as a musical doc it's strong — and it's best as the movie to recommend old white Americans go see as a reminder that people everywhere remain people. Read full review
67
The A.V. ClubBenjamin MercerMar 3, 2016
Early in First, Khaira compares music to oxygen. The film might’ve felt a little more enlightening if all the songs had room to breathe in turn. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesNoel MurrayMar 31, 2016
They Will Have to Kill Us First doesn't offer much of a primer on Mali's political or cultural histories — which is the movie's biggest weakness. But Schwartz did capture some remarkable footage of musicians who've spent the last few years taking tentative steps to reclaim what makes their nation special. Read full review
60
The GuardianLeslie FelperinMar 3, 2016
Although many of the stories told here are deeply harrowing and the film sometimes seems to be trying to bite off too much, at least there’s a happy ending of sorts. Read full review
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