h264 and Makers Inc. are proud to present the feature-length documentary Amadou et Mariam: Sons du Mali by Toronto director Ryan Marley. Screened as an international premiere at the Fipadoc – International Documentary Festival in Biarritz, then as a Canadian premiere at the Festival International du Film sur l’Art (FIFA), where it won the Best Canadian Work Prize, the film tells the inspiring journey of the popular African musical duo, the couple Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia.
Following a remarkable success during its theatrical release in France and in several countries in Africa, Amadou et Mariam: Sons du Mali will be released in Quebec from June 26. It will be presented in Montreal at the Cinéma du Musée as part of a special program with the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and also in regular programming at the Cinéma Beaubien and the Cinémathèque québécoise. In Quebec, the film will be screened at the Cinéma Le Clap Ste-Foy, in partnership with the Festival Québec Jazz in June, and in Sherbrooke at La Maison du Cinéma thanks to a collaboration with the Sherblues Festival.
Amadou and Mariam made the world vibrate with their warm, colorful music, imbued with life and love. As they prepare to record their latest album and return to the stage in Mali, their journey tells more than ever a story of resilience and joy, driven by the unifying power of music. Since the 1980s, their songs have touched millions of people, making this iconic couple the faces of contemporary West African music. If their success is undeniable today, their rise and their relationship were built not without difficulty, in a context marked by the unrest that shook their country. However, despite the trials, the music of Amadou and Mariam remains resolutely optimistic, driven by inexhaustible inspiration and a desire to go beyond borders. With this latest album, they hope more than ever to unite, soothe, and inspire change.
Amadou and Mariam: Sons of Mali a story of triumph over adversity, of the quest for hope in a chaotic world, and above all, of sharing joy and love through music.
About the Filmmaker Ryan Marley is a filmmaker and television producer known for his work in documentary, factual content and children’s programming. He has been nominated for four Canadian Screen Awards and has directed more than 30 series and documentaries. His recent projects include all four seasons of the documentary series Employable Me, as well as the documentaries Sitting Tall: The Patrick Anderson Story and Candidato 34. He has also written several episodes of the iconic series Hoarders and Interventions broadcast on A&E. His recent feature documentary Amadou et Mariam: Sons du Mali was selected in several international festivals, including Fipadoc, CPH:DOX, IndieLisboa, Sydney Film Festival and FIFA.
AMADOU ET MARIAM: SOUNDS OF MALI by Ryan MarleyLong documentary film. Toronto (Canada). 87 minutes. 2025. Original version in English, French and Bambara with subtitles in French or English. Director: Ryan Marley | Produced by: Katie Lafferty (Makers Inc.) | Screenplay: Sonia Godding-Togobo, Katie Lafferty, Ryan Marley | Director of photography: Paul Duck | Editing: Eugene Weis, Peter Strauss, Joe Krumins | Sound design: Pino Halili, Robert Sinko | Original music: Gil Talmi, Cassiel McEvoy | Distribution: h264