/ Sound on Screen

Matangi / Maya / M.I.A.

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She began as Matangi, daughter of the founder of Sri Lanka’s armed Tamil resistance. When her family fled to the UK, she became Maya, a precocious immigrant teenager in London. Finally, the world met her as M.I.A. when she emerged on the global stage.

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She began as Matangi. Daughter of the founder of Sri Lanka’s armed Tamil resistance, she hid from the government in the face of a vicious and bloody civil war. When her family fled to the UK, she became Maya, a precocious and creative immigrant teenager in London. Finally, the world met her as M.I.A. when she emerged on the global stage, having created a mashup, cut-and-paste identity that pulled from every corner of her journey along the way; a sonic sketchbook that blended Tamil politics, art school punk, hip-hop beats and the unwavering, ultra-confident voice of burgeoning multicultural youth.

BBFC certification: 18

Kaleem Aftab profile and interview with M.I.A.
inews.co.uk / 20 Sep 2018

 

Q&A at Film at Lincoln Centre
Youtube / 4 Apr 2018

 

Born Free Music video short film by Romain Gavras
Youtube / 29 Apr 2010