As a young man, American Louis Sarno heard a song on the radio that gripped his imagination. He followed the mysterious sounds all the way to the Central African rainforest and found their source with the Bayaka Pygmies, a tribe of hunters and gatherers. He never left. Today, twenty-five years later, Louis Sarno has recorded more than 1,000 hours of unique Bayaka music. He is a fully accepted member of the Bayaka society and has a 13-year-old son, Samedi. Once, when Samedi was a baby, he became seriously ill and Louis feared for his life. He held his son in his arms through a frightful night and made him a promise: "If you get through this, one day I'll show you the world I come from." Now the time has come to fulfill his promise, and Louis travels with Samedi from the African rainforest to another jungle, one of concrete, glass, and asphalt: New York City. Together, they meet Louis' family and old friends, including his closest friend from college, Jim Jarmusch.
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
Winner! - Best Documentary - IDFA
Official Selection - SXSW
Official Selection - DOC NYC
“UTTERLY GORGEOUS” - Eric Kohn, INDIEWIRE
“A CHARMING and BEAUTIFULLY filmed story.” - Neil Young, The Hollywood Reporter
“The film’s ending is SOBERING and BREATHTAKING at once.” -Ernest Hardy, Village Voice
“A STRIKINGLY POETIC documentary that illustrates the push and pull of life’s opposing forces.” - Michael Rechtshaffen, Los Angeles Times