We Intend to Cause Havoc is a documentary that takes a look at the biggest Zamrock band of the 1970s. Zamrock is a form of music that is a combination of traditional African music, rock, metal, funk, and blues. It has been described as a combination of Jimi Hendrix and James Brown. For all its creativity, it has never been the subject of a documentary.
WITCH (We Intend To Cause Havoc) were leaders during the initial wave of popularity of the genre. The group found new fans during Zamrock’s 21st century resurgence. When Filmmaker Gio Arlotta attempts to put together a reunion concert, things become more complicated than expected. The documentary is a celebration of the music and the people touched by it.
Lead singer Jagari (an Africanization of Mick Jagger’s name) overflows with confidence. Whether We Intend to Cause Havoc is following him in his current job as a gemstone miner or watching him onstage, there is an undeniable frontman aura to him. It is a shame there is a lack of footage WITCH performing during their heyday.
We Intend to Cause Havoc is more than just another rockumentary. The rise and fall portions are much different than the usual fare. In similar documentaries, there is the story of a sudden rise followed by a mistake laden fall. That can also be found here, but the fall is rooted in real world issues. This is not about a band that became too full of themselves or let drugs ruin their careers. Things began to fall apart due to the socio-political happenings in Zambia. Politics and music have always been intertwined but not in the way seen in We Intend to Cause Havoc.
The second part of the downfall of Zamrock was the AIDS epidemic. The disease devastated the nation. By 2001, it had taken the life of every member of WITCH with the exception of Jagari. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in popularity of the music. This is seen in We Intend to Cause Havoc when Arlotta’s planned concert becomes a full scale tour. The documentary is an insightful look at music that most people did not even know existed and even less have even heard.
We Intend to Cause Havoc releases July 13
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