Whittled down from hundreds of hours of home footage by director Steve Loveridge, the film, screening as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival, is a compelling look at a pop star who has refused to confirm to norms.
Born with a Tamil Tiger as a father, M.I.A. grew up in London, and quickly hit it big with a brand of schizophrenic hip-hop infused with her Sri Lankan roots. Her electric first performance at Coachella, included here, shows just how fast her rise was.
But M.I.A.'s background, provocative behaviour, dismissive interview style and political music videos meant she never scored a spot in the mainstream, even if her music sometimes demanded it.
That makes her a great topic for a documentary, but Loveridge's efforts land with as much controversy as the artist herself. Rumours were this was first finished in 2013 but label battles have seen it only just released. Reports also suggest M.I.A. was expecting Loveridge to make a tour diary and isn't happy with the finished cut.
It's not an easy watch. The film jumps all over the place, cutting between countries and time zones more often than a Mission: Impossible movie.
But there are highlights: from the early incarnation of the bedroom music she makes with her sister, to the moment she and Diplo mastermind Paper Planes, her biggest hit. You'll have to wade through interviews, home videos and live footage for the gold.
Like the artist, Loveridge's film is just a little too haphazard. But perhaps that's why this is the perfect M.I.A. documentary.
MATANGI/MAYA/M.I.A.
Director: Steve Loveridge
Rating: M
Screening: As part of the NZIFF
Verdict: Confused portrait of a confusing artist
