Democratic Republic Of Congo
Exploring the golden age of Congolese rumba is what offers the documentary "The Rumba Kings", selected at the Pan-African Film Festival which will take place in Cannes from October 19 to 24.
The film by Peruvian director Alan Brain, who worked for several years in Kinshasa, takes us back to the crucial years before the country’s idipendence.
"I was a member of a salsa orchestra with Congolese musicians, and we were playing salsa covers. And somebody from that orchestra introduced me to Congolese rumba. So I think my love for Congolese rumba, my love for Congolese culture, my love for Congo and the need to tell these stories on a big window are the main reasons why I decided to make this film." said Alain Brain.
This is not only a documentary about music but also about the country's painful colonial past. A country that has overcome oppression, and that has forged a national identity through music.
The movie also traces the history of the song that gave Africa its own independence tune: chacha independence.
For his documentary, Alan Brain went to meet all these musicians who made Congolese rumba. He also gives voice to other big names in African music such as Papa Wemba or Manu Dibango.
We also discover the point of view of journalists and historians, all embellished with unpublished archive images.
The director worked for several years on this exceptional documentary.
"The Rumba Kings" is therefore a film for rumba lovers, but also for history fans.
00:53
Paris Olympics condemns racist attacks on Malian-French singer Aya Nakamura
01:12
Is Rwanda opposed to an AU-backed SADC operation in eastern DRC?
02:00
SADC army chiefs visit Goma amid clashes between DRC army and rebels
01:02
Pics of the day: February 29, 2024
01:20
UN peacekeepers withdraw from Kamanyola base as DR Congo police take charge
01:27
Pope Francis celebrates weekly Angelus prayer despite mild flu symptoms