Congo : une tragédie politique
( Chemin vers la liberté )

Patrick Kabeya
2018 - 87 min - Film 16mm & Vidéo 720p/HDV - Couleur et Noir & Blanc - Canada, Suisse

Resource-rich Africa has been a feeding hand for many successful countries and businesses that have never really benefitted the continent itself nor the majority of its people. African challenges have however often been diagnosed as internal or tribal issues mostly attributed to what was deemed a lack of education and inherent inaptitude to self-govern. In a world greatly influenced by western socio-cultural standards, the in-depth story of the various nations of this continent has often been overlooked, leaving its people to piece their heritage together independently from the most widespread narratives. First of a 3-film series, "Congo : A Political Tragedy" is a feature-length documentary chronicling the political history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from the arrival of the first European settlers to the nation’s struggle for independence.
It offers the unique perspective of Congolese co-writers Patrick Kabeya and Mina Malu, as they document the history of a country that has so far mostly been told through the eyes of foreigners. Using rarely seen archive footage, the 2018 film attempts to retrace the major events that have contributed to the shaping of modern Congo’s political landscape and socioeconomic conditions.
Through a collection of speeches and first-hand accounts from major actors, including King Baudoin, Patrice Lumumba, Joseph Kasavubu, Joseph Mobutu and Gaston Eyskens, an intricate but clear picture of the hazardous path to freedom is being illustrated. This documentary takes the audience through the historical and lasting impact of colonization on mentalities and how it significantly helps determine a people’s place in the world. It emphasizes that self-determination comes at a steep price and involves sacrifices that will invariably challenge status quo, for better or for worse.