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Maki'la

Forum 2018
Maki observes the sapeurs with a mixture of amusement and scorn. They’re all the family she has, this group of young men who use the streets of Kinshasa as their stage, showing off their wild mix of street chic and stolen designer fashions. Maki has been on the streets a long time and is married to Mbingazor, the gang’s boss. But at some point, the 19-year-old has had enough of this gang of boys, who are too busy getting high and drunk to do anything with themselves. Survival must be secured. The next time money for food runs out, Maki crosses paths with the much younger Acha. This newcomer is a fresh arrival in Kinshasa, and doesn’t yet know the rules. Spurred on by Acha’s beginner’s luck as a thief, the pair set off on an adventure together, which soon arouses Mbingazor’s jealousy.
This debut packs in a whole lot: The drama of the story, the raw opulence of the setting and street cred of the actors are all striking cinematic statements. Machérie Ekwa Bahango is part of a group of young filmmakers in Kinshasa working to revitalise Congolese cinema and create works that equally appeal to their own home audiences.
by Machérie Ekwa Bahango
with Amour Lombi, Fideline Kwanza, Serge Kanyinda, Deborah Tshisalu, Plotin Dianani, Ekwa Ekwa Wangi Democratic Republic of the Congo / France 2018 Lingala, French 78’ Colour World premiere

With

  • Amour Lombi (Maki)
  • Fideline Kwanza (Acha)
  • Serge Kanyinda (Mbingazor)
  • Deborah Tshisalu (Zola)
  • Plotin Dianani (Champion)
  • Ekwa Ekwa Wangi (Kele)

Crew

Written and Directed by Machérie Ekwa Bahango
Cinematography Jimmy Tissanabo
Editing Philippe Raboux Bazzini
Music Jonny Ekwa
Sound Design Vianney Aube
Sound John Van
Production Design Dolet Malalu
Producers Emmanuel Lupia Assani Tosala Films, David Kessler Orange Studio, Rufin Mbou Mikima Inzo Ya Bizizi, Akaz Mamba Lennox

World Sales

DIFFA

Produced by

Tosala Films

Orange Studio

Lennox

Inzo Ya Bizizi

Photos

Machérie Ekwa Bahango

Born in Kisagani, Democratic Republic of Congo in 1993. She took screenwriting and film directing workshops while studying Law. In 2016, she wrote six episodes of the series Nakisa: Lobi mokola ya sika, which was financed by the American NGO Search for Common Ground. Maki’la is her debut film.

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2018