Congo River

Yesterday, i went to cinema with a romanian friend. The film was called "Congo River", produced by a talented belgian film maker: Thierry Michel.

This guy is very much interested in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Indeed, he shot a couple of movies about this country. Among them is the famous "Mobutu: roi du Zaire", a fresco of a country charmed by a genuine roi nègre for more than 3 decades.

Congo River is not a movie about a man but about the second biggest river in the world, snaking in the jungle for 4374 km. Thierry Michel and his crew boarded one of the barge cruising on the river, exploring its banks and meeting people.

Since war broke up in 1996, around 3,8 millions people died in the conflict... and violence is not over yet. However, the total population is growing steadily from 29 millions in 1984 to 59 millions now. Of course, war destroyed much of the few institutions that used to work in the previous era... Therefore, any figures must be considered cautiously.

But figures and statistics can only give an outlook of reality. GNP, literacy rate or AIDS prevalence are not sufficient to embrace all aspects of Congo today. The film shows us a country young (like most in Africa), where fetishs and black magic are parts of the society, where pure violence neighbours kindness and hope for a better future.

In a country which experienced so many disasters and turmoils in merely 100 years; the river remains the only link between all the congolese and one of the only thing they all cherish, more than any corrupted or predatory leaders who plundered the country for centuries.

Michel said this movie was partly inspired by Joseph Conrad's novel: Heart of Darkness... It's one more reason to watch it!

Gerald

Back on tracks

"Tbilissi-Georgia" Credit: Fasylavelo

After few months without updating my blog, i decided to use it again.
Since, South America, a few things happened to me:

I flew back home, i spent christmas and New years eve in a cosy atmosphere, i had the opportunity skiing in Italy and enventually i began i traineeship at the European Commission last March.

Belgium is therefore for a few month my new home... It is a bit hard to return to the european pace after cycling freely in the "new world" but i hope my home will continue to move until i will find my promise land...

Gerald