Downstream to Kinshasa
Downstream to Kinshasa (French: En route pour le milliard) is a documentary film from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, directed by Dieudo Hamadi and released in 2020.[1] The film centres on survivors of the DRC's Six-Day War of 2000, many of whom are travelling to Kinshasa to demand compensation from the government for the losses they incurred during the conflict.[2]
Downstream to Kinshasa | |
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Film poster | |
French | En route pour le milliard |
Directed by | Dieudo Hamadi |
Written by | Dieudo Hamadi |
Cinematography | Dieudo Hamadi |
Edited by | Hélène Ballis Catherina Catella |
Production company | Kiripifilms Les Films de l'oeil sauvage Neon Rouge Production |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Language | Lingala Swahili |
The film was named an Official Selection of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, the first film from the Democratic Republic of the Congo ever designated, with its English title initially given as The Billion Road.[2] Due to the cancellation of the festival in light of the COVID-19 pandemic in France, it was not screened at that time; however, it was given an online screening for distributors as part of the Marché du Film.[3]
It had its public premiere in September 2020 as part of the Planet Africa program at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival,[4] where it received an honorable mention from the jury for the Amplify Voices award.[5] It was subsequently screened at the Dok Leipzig festival in October.[6]
References
- Pat Mullen, "TIFF 2020: Downstream to Kinshasa Review". Point of View, September 13, 2020.
- Christopher Vourlias, "‘Downstream to Kinshasa,’ First Congolese Film in Cannes Official Selection, Honors Resilience of War Victims". Variety, June 26, 2020.
- Elsa Keslassy, "Cannes’ Virtual Marché du Film Unveils Expanded Cannes Docs Lineup". Variety, June 10, 2020.
- Jeremy Kay, "TIFF adds special events including new edition of Planet Africa, live talks series". Screen Daily, August 25, 2020.
- Daniele Alcinii, "TIFF ’20: “Inconvenient Indian” takes People’s Choice Documentary Award". RealScreen, September 21, 2020.
- Jonathan Romney, "‘Downstream To Kinshasa’: DOK Leipzig Review (Cannes Label)". Screen Daily, October 27, 2020.