Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Benda Bilili!

Sitting in the IFI's busy foyer, it's hard to put words on the film I've just seen. About five minutes ago the credits rolled on an incredible piece of cinema called Benda Bilili. It's the story of group of physically handicapped musicians from the Congolese capital of Kinshasa.

And you have to see it.

Because writing about  it would only be an attempt to evoke its magic. The documentary doesn't flinch from hardship, yet in band-leader Papa Ricky it finds a voice of unbridled optimism. And in teenager Roger Landu -who makes an instrument from a milk can, a stick and a guitar string - it launches a bona fide star.

Hey you, watch this!

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