Congo In Harlem

09/16/2024

Congo In Harlem 16th annual Film Series schedule is up! Advance tickets now on sale for another amazing lineup of films, discussions, parties and events at Maysles Documentary Center. October 12th-19th, 2024. www.congoinharlem.org

02/02/2024

Friday, February 16th at 7PM
Documentary Center

LUMUMBA: RETURN OF A HERO
Dir. Quentin Noirfalisse, Benoit Feyt & Dieudo Hamadi, 2023, 86 min.
French, Lingala & Swahili w/ English subtitles

61 years after his assassination, the remains of Patrice Lumumba are returned home – or, as his children say, “the Congo returns to Congo”. On June 30th, 1960, Patrice Lumumba became the first Prime Minister in the history of Congo, as the country gained independence after 80 years of Belgian colonial rule. An outspoken anti-colonialist, he intended to use the huge wealth of his country to benefit its people. Six months later, he was killed in the province of Katanga with his two political allies, Joseph Okito and Maurice Mpolo, and their bodies were dissolved in sulphuric acid. All that remained was a single tooth, taken from Patrice Lumumba’s dead body before it was disposed of by a Belgian police officer who held onto it until his own death in 2000.

Lumumba’s assassination was followed by the rise of the dictatorship of Mobutu Sesse Seko, who remained in power until 1996, thanks to strong western support. The events surrounding Lumumba’s death and Mobutu’s ascendance have had a lasting impact on Congo to this day.

Historical research has now proven that Belgium, the US, and the United Nations were all involved in the murders of Lumumba, Okito, and Mpolo. In 2001, a parliamentary commission admitted Belgium had “a moral responsibility” in the crimes, and in 2022, the Belgian government finally took the step to officially return Patrice Lumumba’s tooth to his children’s hands.

Through the story of the repatriation of Lumumba’s tooth, LUMUMBA: RETURN OF A HERO chronicles the tragic fate of Congo’s most important political figure.

Q&A with Lubangi Muniania (Tabilulu Productions) and other guests to be announced!

10/20/2023

Tonight 10/20, 7PM at Congo In Harlem at Maysles Documentary Center MBAKO TRIAL, ANIOTO LEOPARD MAN: MYTH AND REALITY, the new documentary film from the great Jean-Michel Kibushi. Tix on sale now at www.congoinharlem.org or come to box office starting at 6pm!

1933, Wamba, northeastern Belgian Congo. A man and his clan are accused of murdering accomplices of the colonial occupation, carrying out a series of shadowy leopard-like killings in the night. To the colonials he was a terrorist, for the Congolese, a hero of resistance.

PROCÈS MBAKO, ANIOTO HOMME LÉOPARD MYTHE ET RÉALITÉ chronicles the little documented saga of the Anioto-Leopard men, a secret militia that carried out the sentences of traditional leaders, killing their marks with claw like knives in the style of a leopard. Using a hybrid mix of recreations, animations, and interviews, the film explores the trial of Mbako, one of the Leopard Men leaders who was ultimately hanged for his crimes. What emerges is a complex portrait of the traditions and culture that gave rise to the Anioto Leopard Men. Who were they? What was their role in Congolese society? And what were their real or supposed mystical powers?

10/18/2023

Congo In Harlem continues! Thursday 10/19 at Maysles Documentary Center the illuminating documentary NOUS, ÉTUDIANTS! (WE STUDENTS!) by Rafiki Fariala. Advance tickets on sale now: https://congoinharlem.org/lineup2023

Nestor, Aaron and Benjamin are Rafiki’s closest friends. They are all studying economics at the University of Bangui. But Rafiki wants to make films and starts documenting their lives with his camera. After lectures, they hang out in front of the university or in their student accommodation and exchange ideas: about the future of their Central African Republic homeland, but also about things that immediately preoccupy them in their lives, such as dating and work. They ask themselves how things are supposed to continue. As young people with access to education, they see themselves as the ones who will shape the country in the coming decades. But how can you manage to reshape a system when so much of your energy goes into your own needs and survival?

Studying by the light of a street lamp, bursting into spontaneous bouts of dancing, hastily trading on the streets without a license – in his feature film debut, director Rafiki Fariala portrays everyday life for his friends, enabling us to gain an immediate, poetic yet clear-sighted insight into the real lives of millennials in Bangui.

10/14/2023

Congo In Harlem at Maysles Documentary Center Friday 10/14, 7PM a special night with filmmaker Petna Ndaliko: BASANDJA AND THE CONGO BASIN RAINFOREST. Film clips and discussion with Petna, moderated by Maliyamungu Muhande, will be followed by our Opening Reception with food and refreshments! Advance tickets on sale now: congoinharlem.org/lineup2023 or at the box office starting at 6PM. See you in Harlem!

10/12/2023

First screening of Congo In Harlem at Maysles Documentary Center tomorrow Friday 10/13, 7PM! Don't miss LE DAMIER – PAPA NATIONAL OYÉ (THE DRAUGHTSMEN CLASH) by Balufu Bakupa-Kinyanda, which has been beautifully restored in 2k. Preceded by the new short film from Collectif Faire-Part, SPEECH FOR A MELTING STATUE. Advance tickets on sale now or come to the box office up to 1hr before show time! https://congoinharlem.org/lineup2023

Set in a fictitious African country, LE DAMIER (THE DRAUGHTSMEN CLASH) is a humorous political allegory that tells the story of a sleepless dictator who spends the night playing checkers with a pot-smoking vagabond who claims to be the grand champion. However, the rules of the game entail the opponents howling vulgar and foul obscenities at one another. The champion proceeds to insult, and trounce the dictator. His reward and fate will not surprise anyone.

10/06/2023

Congo In Harlem's co-presentation of the beautiful documentary COLLETTE AND JUSTIN begins tonight 10/6 at DCTV's Firehouse Cinema! Nelson will be there for the 7pm screening, as well as the director, Alain Kassanda, who will do Q&A. This is a very special film and a great chance to discuss it with the filmmaker in person. It just got a great review in the NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/movies/colette-and-justin-review.html
Tickets and more info here (and use the promo code congodctv for 20% discount!): https://firehouse.dctvny.org/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=402222~2998286f-8e4b-4c31-9017-dcced8ffebb3&

In a new documentary, a filmmaker turns his lens on his grandparents during a pivotal moment in the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

10/03/2023

Congo In Harlem's 15th annual film and event series launches this week with a special co-presentation at DCTV's Firehouse Cinema of the incredible documentary COLETTE AND JUSTIN! The film will screen multiple times from Oct 6th - 12th and director Alain Kassanda will be present for Q&As after select screenings. All other films and events will run Oct 13th - 22nd back at Maysles Documentary Center. Check out the full lineup at www.congoinharlem.org and see you in Harlem!

09/25/2023

Congo In Harlem 15 is right around the corner! Returning to Maysles Documentary Center October 7th - 22nd, stay tuned for full program details very soon!

10/20/2022

Congo In Harlem continues! Don't miss these upcoming screenings at Maysles Documentary Center. See full lineup and reserve FREE tix at www.congoinharlem.org
- THU 10/20, 7:30PM Special Secret Screening (hint: volcano!) + short films NGOMA and MAWE, made by members of Atelier Mahindule
- FRI 10/21, 7:30PM The White Cube by Renzo Martens
- SAT 10/22, 7:30PM Libende Boyz by Wendy Bashi and Kabibi by Elaisha Stokes & Horeb Bulambo Shindano followed by filmmaker Q&A and reception w/ live music!!
- SUN 10/23 A House Placed in Between - Poetry in the Comfortable Grey Zone by Toshie Takeuchi
Kasongo (Im)Material by Noemie Arazi and Georges Senga
Kelasi by Fransix Tenda Lomba
followed by virtual Q&A

10/12/2022

Congo In Harlem 2022 launches this Friday 10/14!!! Come join us at Maysles Cinema for a FREE screening of
THE RUMBA KINGS
Dir. Alan Brain, 2021, 94 min.
Documentary, US & DR Congo
Followed by Q&A
Reserve tix and see full program at www.congoinharlem.org

09/27/2022

The 14th annual Congo In Harlem film and event series is coming October 14th-31st! After 2 years of mostly virtual programming, we're thrilled to be back in-person at Maysles Documentary Center, where we'll gather for great films, energizing discussion, live music and fun times. We have another amazing lineup this year, featuring lots of new work from DR Congo, as well as some rarely screened treasures. Many of the filmmakers will be in attendance, and the best part -- it's 100% free! Check out the program at www.congoinharlem.org and www.maysles.org