2 Works in Progres

Saturday, October 24th, 12:00pm
Congo in Harlem 7
Presented by Friends of the Congo and True-Walker Productions
2 documentary works-in-progress about Congo’s 2016 election

Telema (Stand Up) Work-in-progress
Sarah M. Kazadi & Rebecca Sesny, DR Congo/USA, 2015, 13 min
(French, English & Lingala w/ English subtitles)
Fred Bauma is paying the price for trying to motivate the Congo’s youth to “TELEMA” which is native Lingala for “stand up.“ Imprisoned since March 15th, the 25-year-old activist managed to sneak a phone into his prison cell. He’s been communicating with his large network of fellow activists, who have vowed to keep fighting to bring tangible change to their country. With the 2016 presidential elections approaching, and President Kabila threatening to stay in power past
the 2-term limit, the youth activists have one unifying goal: rally the youth to have a say in the country’s future, by any means necessary.

A Tales from Kin Productions Work in Progress Screening
Patrick Flynn & Natacha Ikoli,DR Congo/USA, 2015, 75 min.
(French & Lingala w/ English subtitles)
In Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, an elected member of parliament strives to gain the support of his poor, rural constituents while pursuing his own individualistic ambitions. In the DRC, where tribalism defines social hierarchies and state service is the dominant form of wealth creation; corruption becomes the rule rather than the exception, ensnaring even the most fervent idealists. Bana Congo Oyez! presents the everyday reality of the DRC’s dysfunctional leadership through the barnstorming,sloganeering election campaign of an idealistic congressman. It’s a rare glimpse into the relationship between voters and the elected representatives of a state corroded by systemic corruption. Can a politician be elected without being tainted by that corruption?

Followed by Q&A with the filmmakers.

This presentation is made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts’ Electronic Media and Film Presentation Funds grant program, administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.