Five years of filming capture the rise of Staff Benda Bilili, a band of disabled musicians from Kinshasa who gained international acclaim.
“Beyond appearances.”
Synopsis
Five years of filming capture the rise of Staff Benda Bilili, a band of disabled musicians from Kinshasa who gained international acclaim.
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Synopsis
On the streets of Kinshasa, Roger Landu dreams of joining Staff Benda Bilili, a band of disabled musicians. Over five years, the documentary follows their rise from humble street performances to international acclaim. Their unique music, performed on customized tricycles, captures the vibrant culture of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Benda Bilili. premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010 and opened in U.S. theaters in 2011.
What Critics Say
The GuardianA cheerful, entertaining documentary about the meteoric success of African slum band Staff Benda Bilili, says Xan Brooks.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See Staff Benda Bilili perform in Kinshasa.
- Meet musicians overcoming disability with music.
- Find out about their European tour success.
Did You Know
- The filming of Benda Bilili! took 5 years, starting in 2004.
- The film received the Golden Star for Best Documentary at the French press critics Awards in 2010.
- Benda Bilili! was the opening film at the Directors' Fortnight in 2010.
- The film features musicians from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Benda Bilili' mean?
'Benda Bilili' means 'look beyond appearances' in Lingala.
Who directed the documentary Benda Bilili!?
Benda Bilili! was directed by Renaud Barret and Florent de La Tullaye.
When did Benda Bilili! premiere at the Cannes Film Festival?
Benda Bilili! premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010.
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