Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.

Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. is a stirring 2018 British biographical documentary film about the life of Mathangi Arulpragasam – a British Sri Lankan rapper, singer, record producer, and activist, best known by her stage name M.I.A. Populated with personal videos that span decades, the film offers an extraordinarily raw and eye-opening journey into M.I.A.'s world, while charting her rise from an immigrant teenager in London to an international pop star.

Directed by longtime M.I.A. friend Steve Loveridge, the film gives an extensive look inside the life of this unique artist, who uses her music as a platform to advocate for political causes, much to the chagrin of the mainstream media. The film includes exclusive interviews and footage, granting the audience an unprecedented look at the private persona behind the public figure. Notable individuals featured in the film alongside M.I.A. include filmmaker Spike Jonze and pop icon Madonna.

The film's title "Matangi/Maya/M.I.A." is symbolic of the stages of the artist's life. Matangi is her true name from birth, Maya is the name she used when she immigritated to the UK, Hounslow area, where she established a new identity and experienced teenagehood, and M.I.A is the stage name that turned into her global brand.

Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. begins by providing audiences with a peek into M.I.A's difficult and challenging childhood. Born in London, she moved back with her family to their native Sri Lanka when she was six months old, only to become embroiled in the country's vicious Civil War. Her father, a political activist and founding member of the revolutionary Tamil Tigers, was often absent from her life and considered a terrorist by the Sri Lankan government.

The film then traces her family's escape from the war-torn nation to return to England when Mathangi was 11. As refugees, they settled in a hostile and racially prejudiced environment, a reality that would shape M.I.A.'s socio-political consciousness and naturally feed into her artistry. Her camera became her fastest friend, documenting her life experiences and explorations with film and music.

Her transformation into M.I.A, a global pop star, is remarkably presented in the documentary. Using her music as activism, she refuses to forget her past, blending it into her art and putting the Tamil cause at the forefront of her agenda. This part of the film explores M.I.A's emergence as a controversial figure, often not in terms of her music, but in terms of her political activism. This includes the repercussions she has faced within the music industry and media for her outspoken views on issues such as systemic racism, refugees, and genocide, to name a few.

Special attention is given to her breakthrough in the US market, where she becomes a controversial figure through various events, such as her infamous Super Bowl halftime show performance with Madonna, which stirred nationwide controversy and legal battles.

While delving into these aspects, the film never loses sight of M.I.A.'s unique and vibrant artistry, highlighting her accomplishments and contributions to the music industry, with her clever integration of various musical genres, South Asian sounds, and a personal political narrative to create captivating, high-energy tracks that command one's attention.

Loveridge's film presents an impressive, compelling portrait of a woman continuously wrestling with her past and present while standing her ground in an industry known for swallowing its own. The motifs of identity, heritage, and struggle run prominently throughout the film, alluding to M.I.A.'s constant undercurrent of displacement, opposition, and perseverance.

Captivating, sincere, and irreverently provocative, Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. offers a captivating glimpse into the life and career of one of the most fascinating and controversial contemporary artists. This documentary serves as a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike, who wish to understand the multi-faceted life story behind the powerhouse persona of M.I.A.