TRAILER

Travelling up and down the majestic river Congo on a disheveled boat, the young orphan Antoine Kolosoy composed his first songs on a beat up old guitar. As he gained renown, the young “Wendo,” as he was now known, was persecuted by the church and his music banned by the Belgian Colonial authorities, who feared his joyful rhythms would stir unrest. Wendo became a professional boxer for a time, but he never put down his guitar for long, and when his first album was released in 1948 he became the first superstar of Congolese Rumba.

In the 60s, his songs expressed the hopes of a newly independent nation, when all dreams seemed like they could become reality. As the country suffered for nearly three decades under the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, his music remained as a manifestation of the joyous spirit of the Congolese people that could not be taken away. Rediscovered several years ago after having been reduced to beggarhood, Wendo made a comeback under the new regime in 1997.

Featuring stunning images and unforgettable music and interviews, “On the Rumba River” is a musical tribute to the Congolese people, who despite desperate poverty, a history of oppression and an ongoing civil war that has killed nearly 4 million people, continue to be sustained by music.

Original Title On the Rumba River - Wendo
German Title On the Rumba River - Wendo
French Title On the Rumba River - Wendo
Other Titles On the Rumba River - Wendo
Directed by Jacques Sarasin
Country Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)
Available Formats 35mm, DVD
Screenplay Jacques Sarasin
Film Editing Bernard Josse
Soundtrack Wendo Kolosoy
Cinematography Remon Fromont
Sound Philippe Lecocq
Production Fairbleu Paris
Runtime 85 Min.
Language Lingala, Französisch/d/f
Actors
Dokumentarfilm documentaire
Wendo Kolosoy Wendo Kolosoy
Mbinga Kabata Tejos Mbinga Kabata Tejos
Antoine Moundanda Antoine Moundanda
Joseph Munanga Maproko Joseph Munanga Maproko

DP_rumba_river_f (276 kB)

Ins_Rumba_River_85x112_cmyk_d (519 kB)

Ins_Rumba_River_85x112_cmyk_f (519 kB)

Ins_Rumba_River_85x112_sw_d (213 kB)

Ins_Rumba_River_85x112_sw_f (214 kB)

Ins_Rumba_River_95x113_cmyk_d (551 kB)

PD_Rumba_River_D (245 kB)

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