Patrice Lumumba.
For those who don't know: Patrice Lumumba was the first prime minister and leader of the Independent Belgian Congo.
He played one of the most important roles in the campaigning for the independence from Belgium. Considering the fact that he died at the age of only 36, his actions and what he had achieved is something that can only be called heroic. An intelligent, well-spoken, intelligent and educated man, that loved his country and his people.
AfricAvenir chose to screen the ARTE movie about Lumumba's life yesterday in an open air cinema in Berlin. Surprisingly, the Facebook event had many people wanting to participate, which I believed was great. Unfortunately, due to the weather conditions weren't very convenient, and many didn't show up. Still, thankfully, a lot of people did show up and show interest despite the cold and windy weather. This was something that, I presume, must have been highly appreciated by the organisers.
French Trailer
English Trailer
The movie was in the original version, mainly French and sometimes Lingala, with German subtitles for every one to understand.
The movie about Patrice Lumumba was in my opinion just perfect. It highlighted a lot of points that I think are to be considered. In Lumumba's life, he ended up getting betrayed by his own people. I believe, that during his career he did make a couple of mistakes due to his young age. He underestimated how selfish and jealous some people can be, and therefore ended up having important people as enemies and pushed them further away rather than keeping them close. One of them was Mobutu, future corrupt president of Zaire/DRC. He had met him long before Mobutu became Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga. But he had underestimated him and ended up being victim of a coup by Mobutu with the help of the Americans and Belgians. At the same time, former President Kasa-Vubu was involved in the coup.
Lumumba had, in my opinion, strong and great ideas and also the passion and love for his country, but unfortunately not the wisdom and diplomacy necessary to rule the country.
Interestingly enough, the movie did also highlight that part. It starts with a narration that seems as if Lumumba himself was writing a letter explaining some details. It also ends with the same narration and the end of the letter. During this narration, we hear how Lumumba mentions that he did come 50 years to early, which somehow joins my theory of him being too young, and also the population of Congo not being 100% ready for him he was so eager and sometimes acted a little undiplomatic.
What went perfectly about the evening in combination with the film, the emotions and the spirit of Lumumba, was the end of the movie. With the off screen narration, the camera zooming into the fire, the wind and the cold of Berlin, the trees and birds in the wind, and the message of Lumumba...as if it has been transported by the wind... The whole crowd kept quite, it felt like Lumumba's spirit was present, like his message has been travelling for so long so that we could all sit there, and listen to it. It felt like the narration wasn't necessarily a letter to his wife, as you first believe, but maybe to his Country. He says "ma compagne" which could have also mean his country. it felt like it was a message for us, for the people watching the movie.
It ended up being a very inspirational evening, deep and giving the viewers food for thoughts.
I also recommend to everyone needing inspiration and motivation in their life to watch the movie of a great international hero who has fought all his life for his convictions, and took it as far as dying for his loved ones.
French Trailer
English Trailer
The movie was in the original version, mainly French and sometimes Lingala, with German subtitles for every one to understand.
The movie about Patrice Lumumba was in my opinion just perfect. It highlighted a lot of points that I think are to be considered. In Lumumba's life, he ended up getting betrayed by his own people. I believe, that during his career he did make a couple of mistakes due to his young age. He underestimated how selfish and jealous some people can be, and therefore ended up having important people as enemies and pushed them further away rather than keeping them close. One of them was Mobutu, future corrupt president of Zaire/DRC. He had met him long before Mobutu became Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga. But he had underestimated him and ended up being victim of a coup by Mobutu with the help of the Americans and Belgians. At the same time, former President Kasa-Vubu was involved in the coup.
Lumumba had, in my opinion, strong and great ideas and also the passion and love for his country, but unfortunately not the wisdom and diplomacy necessary to rule the country.
Interestingly enough, the movie did also highlight that part. It starts with a narration that seems as if Lumumba himself was writing a letter explaining some details. It also ends with the same narration and the end of the letter. During this narration, we hear how Lumumba mentions that he did come 50 years to early, which somehow joins my theory of him being too young, and also the population of Congo not being 100% ready for him he was so eager and sometimes acted a little undiplomatic.
What went perfectly about the evening in combination with the film, the emotions and the spirit of Lumumba, was the end of the movie. With the off screen narration, the camera zooming into the fire, the wind and the cold of Berlin, the trees and birds in the wind, and the message of Lumumba...as if it has been transported by the wind... The whole crowd kept quite, it felt like Lumumba's spirit was present, like his message has been travelling for so long so that we could all sit there, and listen to it. It felt like the narration wasn't necessarily a letter to his wife, as you first believe, but maybe to his Country. He says "ma compagne" which could have also mean his country. it felt like it was a message for us, for the people watching the movie.
It ended up being a very inspirational evening, deep and giving the viewers food for thoughts.
I also recommend to everyone needing inspiration and motivation in their life to watch the movie of a great international hero who has fought all his life for his convictions, and took it as far as dying for his loved ones.
