December 02, 2025
VRT co-production Soundtrack to a Coup d’État wins prestigious Rose d’Or Award
Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, a VRT co-production, has won the prestigious Rose d’Or Award in the Arts category, one of the most respected international prizes for audio and video content. The documentary stood out among 78 entries from 15 countries. This year, VRT celebrated an impressive nine nominations across its productions and co-productions, including Mijn jeugdrechter, Switch, Gelukkig gescheiden, Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, Draw for Change, Van Gent tot Damascus, Wat niemand ziet, Red Flag, and In Form.
About Soundtrack to a Coup d’État
1961. In the aftermath of Patrice Lumumba’s assassination, the Belgian and U.S. governments join forces to maintain influence in Congo. Against the backdrop of the Cold War, the CIA deploys jazz musicians as a distraction from Western interference in post-colonial African politics. Jazz and decolonization become inseparably intertwined.
Directed by acclaimed Flemish filmmaker Johan Grimonprez, the documentary has already earned international recognition:
Special Jury Award for Cinematic Innovation at Sundance 2024
Best Belgian Documentary at Docville 2024
Nomination for the European Film Awards
Soundtrack to a Coup d’État is a co-production by Onomatopee Films, Warboys Films, Zap-O-Matik, Baldr Film, ZKM Center, RTBF, and VRT, with support from the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF).
