WITCH: We Intend To Cause Havoc review – lighthearted doc revitalises Zambia’s rock scene

With the release of WITCH: We Intend To Cause Havoc following so closely after Sing, Freetown, UK cinemas are enjoying a nice spate of documentaries that bring them in to the arts scenes across Africa in the ‘70s and follow an attempt to revive those scenes and bring their vital cultural contributions to new audiences. Though WITCH is not as informative or moving as Sing, Freetown, it’s still a fun trip through the brief but dense history of Zambian rock music with some delightful characters at its centre.

Chief among these characters is Emmanuel Chanda, better known as Jagari, the energetic frontman of the band that gives WITCH its title. Now working primarily as a gems miner, Jagari (who took his stage name from Mick Jagger) is a charismatic and jolly presence, mourning the loss of the “Zamrock” culture but also thrilled to be talking about it, his excitement infectious.

Sadly, the rest of the original members of WITCH died before this film started production, but the rapport Jagari builds with the European musicians who serve as the backing band for WITCH’s revival is touching, and the music itself is great too – if you’ve enjoyed any ‘60s/’70s psychedelic rock, you'll be sure to love this.

WITCH is not hugely cinematic – it would feel more at home on BBC 4 than in a cinema, and the lack of archive footage of WITCH’s ‘70s performances is disappointing. This isn’t a fatal flaw, though, and it’s still an entertaining insight into a world that got left behind by the twin forces of post-colonial hyperinflation and disco, the passion of everyone involved shining through the screen.

WITCH: We Intend to Cause Havoc is now showing in cinemas and select digital platforms.