Directed by:
Raoul PeckCinematography:
Bernard LuticComposer:
Jean-Claude PetitCast:
Eriq Ebouaney, Alex Descas, Cheik Doukouré, Maka Kotto, Pascal N'Zonzi, Mata Gabin, Dieudonné Kabongo, Makena Diop, Théophile Sowié, Rudi Delhem, Mariam Kaba (more)VOD (1)
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When the Congo declared its independence from Belgium in 1960, the 36-year-old, self-educated Lumumba became the first Prime Minister of the newly independent state. Called "the politico of the bush" by journalists of the day, he became a lightning rod of Cold War politics as his vision of a united Africa gained him powerful enemies in Belgium and the U.S. Lumumba would last just months in office before being brutally assassinated. Strikingly photographed in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Belgium as civil war once again raged in the Congo, the film vividly re-creates the shocking events behind the birth of the country that became Zaire during the reign of Lumumba's former friend and eventual nemesis, Joseph Mobutu. (official distributor synopsis)
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The true story of the first Prime Minister of the then (1960s) nascent democratic Congo. A political drama, the kind I’ve seen many, that brings nothing new to the table, but at least watching it makes you realise that it is almost impossible to establish a democracy in African states due to the interdependence with former colonialist countries and tribal intolerance, in particular. What I enjoyed a lot in this film is the excellent, accomplished acting by unknown black actors, including the lead.
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Photo © Zeitgeist Films
