Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, hosted the seventh edition of the European film festival. During the opening, the public had the chance to see or re-watch the film “La vie est belle”, a feature film of almost an hour and a half by Congolese director Mweze Ngagura. The director, present at the screening, expressed his emotion at seeing his film copy technically restored with the original colors and sounds found. He also expressed his sadness by listing the deaths of several actors who took part in the film.
“La vie est belle” is considered one of the best films ever made in the DRC. This feature film perfectly photocopies an era and is a true masterpiece that crosses generations. The famous song “Work take the trouble, it’s the background that lacks the least” was sung during the screening of the film, causing the public to shout or applaud.
This film is a source of pride for Congolese cinema, because it embodies simplicity, the treatment of the script, the actors, the houses, the streets, the movements of the camera. Everything is so natural that he didn’t try to impress. Cinephiles have proposed that films like these be screened in public places in Kinshasa to help elevate Congolese cinema.
The festival has been organized by the pole-Eunic DRC for nearly ten years with free screenings of more than 30 films in various locations in Kinshasa. The screening of “La vie est belle” was a highlight of this seventh edition.
This festival is a unique and important cultural moment for cinema in Kinshasa. Each year, it attracts a passionate audience who want to discover and share European and Congolese films.