African cinema marks a milestone at the Cannes Film Festival with Rwanda's Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo and Central African Republic's Rafiki Fariala entering the official selection for the first time.
Rafiki Fariala's 'Congo Boy'
Rafiki Fariala's 'Congo Boy' is a deeply personal tale of a young Congolese refugee aspiring to be a singer amidst civil unrest. Fariala, trained at Ateliers Varan in Bangui, draws from his own experiences as a self-taught musician who fled Congo. He emphasizes shooting in Bangui, stating, "It was important for me to shoot in Bangui." The film features non-professional actors and real-life soldiers, with casting directed by France's Aline Dalbis. The production, led by Bangui-based Makongo Films, aims to change perceptions of refugees, offering hope through Fariala's story.
Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo's 'Ben'Imana'
Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo's 'Ben'Imana' is the first Rwandan film to grace Cannes. Her journey began under the guidance of filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung, leading to the Tribeca-premiering short 'Lyiza'. 'Ben'Imana', co-written with Delphine Agut, explores post-genocide reconciliation, focusing on women rebuilding their lives. The film was co-produced across Rwanda, Gabon, France, and Norway, steadfastly maintaining its African roots despite pressures to film in French or English. Dusabejambo insisted on Kinyarwanda, saying, "I couldn’t see this film being in any other language."
Production and Vision
'Ben'Imana' faced over a decade of struggles in development, involving labs like Cannes’ La Fabrique Cinéma and Marrakech’s Atlas Workshops. Producer Samantha Biffot supported Dusabejambo's vision, resulting in a crew 90% Rwandan and 100% African, with a cast of mostly non-professionals. Dusabejambo notes, "People gave so much to this film. Now I have a story to go back and tell them." She plans to share this with the Rwandan women who contributed their stories.
Impact and Recognition
The premieres of 'Congo Boy' and 'Ben'Imana' at Cannes' Un Certain Regard section spotlight the evolving African film landscape. Both filmmakers bring authentic narratives and a commitment to cultural integrity, paving the way for future storytellers from their regions.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/africa-historic-first-cannes-congo-boy-benimana-1236739697/
