Wendy Bashi
Democratic Republic of Congo, Belgium | 2022 | 46 min
World premiere
Languages : French, Lingala
Subtitles : English, French
The Libende Boyz are young rappers from Beni in the DRC, who are trying at all costs to bring a form of artistic expression to life in an environment in which everyone fears for their life on a daily basis. Wendy Bashi creates a rich portrait of a resilient young generation bursting with dreams, which wants to transform Beni into the new capital of rap.
Legal age 14, suggested age 14
Libende Boyz, meaning “the men of steel” in Lingala, is the nickname of a group of young rappers who are fighting to tell their story and that of Beni, a city in the north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the scene of civilian massacres since 2014. Wendy Bashi accompanies the collective’s progression as they try, at all costs, to bring to life a form of artistic expression that is still not really taken seriously. But how do you make room for creation in a city where everyone continually fears for their life? Following the Libende Boyz in their public and private day-to-day lives throughout rehearsals, freestyle sessions and interviews, the director builds a strong discourse about the power of musical creation in society and about? artistic status in Beni. Weaving together voices that bear messages of revolt, joy, love and friendship, the film is also a generous and collective musical journey. Wendy Bashi creates a rich portrait of a young generation bursting with dreams and resilience, who want to transform their city into the new Los Angeles of rap.
Alice Riva
Legal age 14, suggested age 14
Fickin, 2016
Fonio is telling, 2016
Congolese Chronicles, 2017
Malinga Kuceza, 2017
