In 2012, Islamic jihadists imposed an extreme version of Shariah law on northern Mali, banning all music and destroying all radio stations.

It forced many of the country’s prominent musicians into hiding or to flee. While the ban was lifted in 2014, many musicians still fear reprisals from extremists.

But rather than lay down their instruments, the musicians are fighting back, standing up for their cultural heritage and identity.

Through everything, they have used music as their weapon against the on-going violence that has left Mali ravaged. They Will Have To Kill Us First follows the musicians on the run, capturing life at refugee camps and following perilous journeys home to battle-scarred cities.

The stories of these artists are told without gloss – they are sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes inspirational, and sometimes incredibly frustrating as we watch the musicians make impossible choices about their future.

"Johanna Schwartz’s miraculously hopeful documentary... delivers a vibrant testimony of resilience under oppression." – New York Times

THEY WILL HAVE TO KILL US FIRST - SHORT TRAILER / US THEATRICAL from TWHTKUF - Doc on Vimeo.

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COMPETITION: Win 1x pair of tickets to attend They Will Have To Kill Us First + Director Q&A at Bertha Doghouse on Sunday 25th September at 16:00. To enter the competition, send an email to ava@run-riot.com with the correct answer in the ‘subject’ line. The winner will be randomly selected.

Q: Songhoy Blues, one of the main bands and principle subjects of the film, worked with which Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist on their debut record, Soubour?

A: .1) Karen O .2) Dave Grohl .3) Nick Zinner .4) Beth Ditto