BY KAREN BOSSICK
The daughter of the founder of Sri Lanka’s armed Tamil resistance, Matangi spent her formative years hiding from the government during a vicious, bloody civil war.
She came to the attention of the world as M.I.A. when she emerged on the global stage presenting a sonic sketchbook that blended Tamil politics, art-school punk and hip-hop beats.
Get to know this critically acclaimed artist up close and personal when Sun Valley Museum of Art presents a film screening of “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.” at 4 and 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Magic Lantern Cinemas in Ketchum.
The Sundance Award-winning film draws from a cache of personal video recordings from the past 22 years as it chronicles Matangi’s journey from refugee immigrant to a precocious immigrant teenager in London to one of the most recognizable and provocative voices in music today.
The film is being shown as part of SVMoA’s BIG IDEA Project “Deeds Not Words,” which celebrates the centennial of women’s suffrage and the fight for social justice by presenting films that highlight the bravery and audacity of women from around the world who have fought for their voices to be heard, sometimes through deeds rather than words.
“This film features a woman who struggled to be taken seriously and share her message. Often outspoken and controversial, she opted to keep speaking her mind despite the harsh criticism she often faced,” said Kristine Bretall, director of Performing Arts at SVMoA. “M.I.A.’s music has resonated with many, but her fight to give voice to the voiceless is her underlying message. She has been contentious and supported causes that have led some to condemn her.”
Upcoming films that are part of the series for the Deeds Not Words BIG IDEA project are:
93Queen
- Thursday, Feb. 11, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Magic Lantern Cinemas
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
- Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. at the Liberty Theatre, Hailey
- Thursday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Magic Lantern Cinemas, Ketchum
Billie
- Thursday, Feb. 25, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Magic Lantern Cinemas, Ketchum
Tickets for all films are $10 for SVMoA members and $12 for nonmembers. To reserve tickets, visit www.svmoa.org or call 208.726.9491. Physical distancing is enforced.