Between the Cup and the Election Entre la coupe et l’élection
Monique Mbeka Phoba & Guy Kabeya Muya, 2008, DRC/Benin/Belgium, 56m
With the next World Cup in South Africa, this documentary offers a timely look at the first sub-Saharan soccer team, the Congolese squad that competed in the 1974 World Cup.
Preceded by Freddy Ilanga: Che’s Swahili Translator
Katrin Hansing, 2009, South Africa/Cuba/USA; 24m
In April 1965, Freddy Ilanga, a 15-year-old Congolese youth became Che Guevara’s personal Swahili teacher and translator, during the latter’s secret mission in the Congo to train anti-Mobutu rebels. After seven intense months at Che’s side, the Cuban authorities sent Freddy to Cuba. At first, Freddy thought that his stay in Cuba would be temporary, but 40 years passed during which time he lost all contact with family and homeland. Then in 2003, he received an unexpected phone call from Bukavu, his hometown. His family had finally found him. Co-presented with Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Discussion with special guest!
