The Human Rights Concerts: A Conspiracy Of Hope, Pt. 1

Watch The Human Rights Concerts: A Conspiracy Of Hope, Pt. 1

  • 1989
  • 2 hr 29 min

The Human Rights Concerts: A Conspiracy Of Hope, Pt. 1 is a documentary film that showcases the all-star music performers who took part in the 1986 Human Rights Concert tour, which aimed to raise awareness and funds for human rights violations around the world. The film covers the first four concerts of the tour, which took place in the United States and featured performances by a diverse lineup of musicians and bands, including U2, Sting, Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Joan Baez, and The Neville Brothers.

The film opens with a brief history of the human rights movement and the founding of Amnesty International, the organization behind the Human Rights Concerts. It then shows footage of the concerts, highlighting memorable performances and backstage moments. The first concert took place in Daly City, California, and featured Sting singing "Message in a Bottle," Peter Gabriel performing "Biko" with a choir of South African exiles, and U2 playing "Sunday Bloody Sunday" in tribute to the victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The film then moves on to New Jersey, where the second concert took place at Giants Stadium. The lineup included Lou Reed, who performed "Walk on the Wild Side," Bryan Adams, who sang "Summer of '69," and Joan Baez, who gave a powerful rendition of "Joe Hill." The highlight of the concert was U2's performance of "Pride (In the Name of Love)," which Bono dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.

The third concert took place in Denver, Colorado, and featured a more eclectic lineup, including The Neville Brothers, Miles Davis, and Joni Mitchell. Peter Gabriel again performed "Biko," this time with the help of South African singer Miriam Makeba, and U2 closed the night with a raucous rendition of "Bad."

The final concert covered in the film took place in San Francisco and was a benefit for the homeless. The lineup included Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, and Sinead O'Connor, but the standout performance came from U2, who performed a stripped-down version of "MLK" and a rousing rendition of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."

Throughout the film, there are interviews with the musicians and organizers of the tour, who discuss their motivations for getting involved with the human rights cause and their experiences on the road. There are also segments highlighting some of the human rights issues that the concert aimed to address, including South African apartheid, Latin American dictatorships, and the US government's treatment of indigenous peoples.

Overall, The Human Rights Concerts: A Conspiracy Of Hope, Pt. 1 is a powerful reminder of the role that music can play in raising awareness and promoting social justice. It is a must-see for fans of the musicians featured in the film as well as anyone interested in the history of the human rights movement.

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Description
  • Release Date
    1989
  • Runtime
    2 hr 29 min