Beware of Mr. Baker

Ginger Baker played in Cream and Blind Faith and was regarded by many as the best drummer in rock. In 1972 he went to Nigeria, met Fela Kuti, and encountered afrobeat; he built a studio there. Then came addiction, bankruptcies and fights. At the time of filming he was living in South Africa on a fenced compound with his young wife and his polo horses. Jay Bulger's documentary was shot while the director was living with Baker. The film opens with Baker breaking Bulger's nose with his cane, which sets the tone from the start: nobody is trying to make Baker likeable. Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Tony Allen are among those who speak. Baker's children are part of the narrative too, and what they say is its heaviest passage. The film won the grand jury prize at SXSW in 2012. Who it's for: Viewers who like music documentary, drumming, and portraits of difficult people. Who it's not for: What Baker did to his family is hard to watch. The narrative also dwells on the personality more than the music.