“You want to hear my story? I’m going to show you my story,” says M.I.A. in the first trailer for “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.” The Sundance-winning doc features never-before-seen footage and charts Maya Arulpragasam’s journey starting with her immigration from Sri Lanka to England. “I had to deal with the fact that I was different and I was an immigrant,” the Oscar- and Grammy-nominated musician explains in the spot.
Describing music as her “medicine,” M.I.A. emphasizes that she wants to dismantle stereotypes about immigrants and talk about issues like death and war rather than Beverly Hills. The “Paper Planes” singer and activist is known for her political lyrics and music videos. “You’ve got access to a microphone. Please use it to say something,” she urges.
“Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.” made its world premiere in January at Sundance Film Festival, where it won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award. The film opens September 21 in the UK and September 28 in the U.S.
Check out the trailer to see M.I.A. taking on accusations of being a terrorist and sharing what it’s like to go from being a refugee to a pop star.
