Parity Pipeline

Genre

Synopsis

When a young woman singer-songwriter named Rokia Traore appeared on local TV wearing long braids, strumming a guitar and singing songs of women’s freedom, she sent shockwaves through her conservative West African nation of Mali. Her debut was a revolution for both women and music. Her image on local television hit a nerve. Known simply by her first name, Rokia, she sang songs she wrote that challenged Malian traditions such as polygamy, a long held Mali custom, and called for women’s independence. For older, conservative viewers, Rokia shook the foundation of Malian culture. For young women watching, Rokia represented the future, a voice of a new generation. The film, ROKIA: VOICE OF A NEW GENERATION, includes footage from her debut on local Malian tv while revealing her backstory as a diplomat’s daughter who began her activism in the streets as a teenager protesting democratic reforms. The film charts her growth and career as a performer, her rise as an internationally recognized singer-songwriter, and the pitfalls along the way. With unique access, the film captures intimate moments in her life, including the challenges of being a recording artist in a male dominated industry, the repercussions of breaking cultural taboos by speaking her mind in her lyrics, and the challenges of being on the road as a working mother. Additionally, the film shows her building her dream, a foundation to foster the next generation of young musicians. As the daughter of a diplomat, Rokia won diplomatic immunity and full custody of her daughter in a Malian court. But a Belgian court overruled the decision, instead granting full custody to Rokia’s former abusive partner. Rokia did what came naturally – she protested. She refused to hand over her daughter and landed in jail. A group of international artists, including world renowned singer Salif Keita, started a #FreeRokia campaign on social media. Women’s rights activists from Harlem in the USA to Europe jumped on the bandwagon to help free Rokia. Human rights activists used Rokia’s case to reveal that there are “thousands of Rokias” where mostly Black women, and women of color, lose custody cases against their predominantly white, male partners in European courts. Is it racism or coincidence?. Once released on bail, Rokia fled to Mali where she remains in exile and on an Interpol watch list. If she sets foot in Europe or abroad to tour or record new work, she risks being jailed again. Rokia believes the Belgian decision should be overturned. If not, not only does the decision impact her family, but her career and her voice could be silenced for years to come. I’m seeking finishing funds to edit the film’s climatic ending which would capture the surprising turn of events that led Rokia to jail, on hunger strike and fighting for custody of her daughter.