One of the greatest comforts in life is knowing that you can always come home. That’s the gift that banjo aficionado, Bela Fleck gives to his weapon of choice in the new documentary, Throw Down Your Heart. Fleck travels to a number of cities to “bring the banjo back to Africa.” Many people are unaware that the banjo—with its twangy sound and hillbilly undertones--actually evolved from a popular African instrument. It was brought over by captured slaves and managed to evolve into an enjoyable pastime for Southern landowners soon after.

Director Sascha Paladino gathered a skeleton crew to assist Fleck on his journey through a number of African cities and captured him in concert with many noted African musicians. The impetus behind the film was a simple one stated by one of the musicians featured in Throw Down Your Heart:

“There is negative thinking about Africa,” says Haruna Walusimbi. “[They say] ‘There is nothing good in Africa. They are beggars. There is HIV/AIDS. They are at war all the time.’ But that is just a very small bit of what Africa is.”

Paladino concurs. He feels that aside from Fleck raising musical awareness, he’s also given a great piece of himself to everyone he encountered.

“The banjo sort of defines him as a person,” says the director.

Within the film, audiences will delight as Fleck collaborates with Malian diva Oumou Sangare, a woman named Ruth (who is thought to be the only female thumb piano-player in her region) as well as with villagers on a 12-foot marimba.

What makes this documentary such a winner is that it’s so heartwarming and light. You don’t have to be a fan of the banjo to enjoy the music that is being played. That’s where this film really wins. Fleck is sweet and charming and seems to humble himself to those whom he encounters on his travels. He stands in reverence of the heritage of those whose blood is in the instrument that has won him a whopping eleven Grammy Awards and countless years of recognition.

For anyone who loves music, culture, African-American history or just a good documentary, Throw Down Your Heart is an uplifting and adorable must.

Grade: A

 Throw Down Your Heart releases in theaters June 5.

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