KATHMANDU: Nobody takes music away from one’s life. But Mali did take away music from its people in 2012 when music was banned in northern Mali by Islamic extremists. When Malian rhythm and melodies were forbidden, the artistes held on to their music nonetheless. And a documentary called They Would Have To Kill Us First tells the story of some such artistes who didn’t give up on music despite the declaration of war on music. It features Mali’s exciting artistes like Khaira Arby, Fadimata ‘Disco’ Walter Oumur, Moussa Sidi and a band of young men who met on the run to form Songhoy Blues.

This 101-minute-long film directed by Johanna Schwartz is one of the 35 films being showcased at the 5th International Folk Music Film Festival 2015 at Rastriya Nach Ghar, Jamal. The festival that started on November 26 will screen movies from New Zealand, Nepal, USA, UK, Africa and Chile among others.

“The festival is one platform to showcase different folk music of different places and the state of musicians in the world,” shared Ram Kandel, Founder of the festival that started in 2011. About the films this year, he added, “There are great films in the festival. There are films about refugees who survive by singing folk music. The films are about how a tree produces music, how hill makes music, how ocean dances and how wind moves the leaves.”

The music of Peru and its people have been brought to the fest by a group of American musicians — Travel Songs — through Travel Songs: Peru. Directed by Zachary Humenik, the musicians connect with one of the Peruvian cultures through music in which the music culture of Andean region of Peru unravels.

“The film is about our journey in Peru two years ago and we documented their culture and music there,” sound

engineer and producer of the film, Tyler Holloway, who is currently visiting Nepal expressed. He is excited and honoured to be a part of the festival that has diversity. And their film wants to “share cultures with the world and highlighting the Peruvian music”.

At the festival, more such folk music and people are being shared. Be a part of the festival which will end on November 29.