'PATRICE LUMUMBA’ feature film to grow the film industry in the DRC

The upcoming feature bio-epic, 'PATRICE LUMUMBA,' promises to be a force for the country's burgeoning film community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Congo Crisis in the 1960s, the film will narrate the life of the African nationalist and pan-Africanist, Patrice Lumumba. The aim of the project is the deliberate sourcing of key cast and crew members from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, underscoring the filmmakers commitment to fostering indigenous talent and skills.

Born Isa?e Tasumbu Tawosa on July 2, 1925, Patrice Lumumba served as the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during a pivotal period from June to September 1960. Lumumba's role in steering the nation from a Belgian colony to an independent republic is central to the film's narrative.

The Congo Crisis, triggered by a mutiny following the country's independence, forms the historical canvas against which Lumumba's life is portrayed. His attempt to escape to Stanleyville, thwarted by a coup, led to his capture and eventual execution by separatist Katangan authorities, with the assistance of Belgian partisans. Patrice Lumumba's legacy as a martyr for the pan-African movement remains indelible.

'PATRICE LUMUMBA' will incorporate firsthand accounts from those who knew Lumumba intimately to contribute to a richer understanding of Lumumba's profound impact on the course of DRC history.

The film emerges as a spotlight of cultural significance, offering audiences a window into a pivotal period in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's history while championing local talent and catalyzing the growth of the region's film industry.