M.I.A. on Loveridge's new tell-all documentary about her career and activism

Originally published on May 3, 2018​

Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, better known by her stage name M.I.A., is talented, charismatic and political — these are the qualities that made her an international superstar, and they're the same qualities that made her a great documentary subject. 

Almost a decade ago, M.I.A. gave director and friend Stephen Loveridge hundreds of hours of personal footage to create a documentary on her life, but what ended up on tape wasn't what she was expecting. It's possible that she's still not comfortable with it.

The film is called Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. and it takes viewers through her career from aspiring filmmaker to music superstar and activist. As a Sri Lankan Tamil, M.I.A. has become a voice for the Tamil population, and the film dives into some of her controversies and run-ins with journalists. 

M.I.A. joins Tom Power for a chat about the film and shares her thoughts on what it's like seeing her life reflected back to her on the big screen.

Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. hits theatres on Saturday, Oct. 6.

— Produced by Tyrone Callender​