A generous mix of concert footage and personal encounter with Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour, possessor of one of the most gorgeous voices in world music today. “Inspiring.” — Independent Weekly
A story of artistic triumph withstanding a tide of derision, I Bring What I Love is, like N'Dour rich, powerful voice, inspiring.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2009
Youssou N’Dour: I Bring What I Love 2008
Possessor of one of the most gorgeous voices in world music today, the Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour is widely admired for more than just his singing. In 2007, Time magazine named him one of the hundred most influential people in the world of art, highlighting his efforts to spread technology in Africa and to fight poverty. He is seen by many Africans as the epitome of global success and self-confidence. This documentary delivers a gratifying amount of that voice in an amazing array of different concert venues around the world. It also provides a close-up picture of the personal crisis N'Dour endured as he negotiated the religious/political fallout from his 2004 album Egypt. Dedicated to his love for the Islamic faith, it was acclaimed as both beautiful and timely in the West but considered blasphemous in Senegal. With N'Dour as its guide – and his proud family looking on – this film reveals the spiritual and musical sources that led to Egypt and what the singer was hoping to achieve for himself and his audience. — BG