Deep Dive: Benda Bilili! (2010)
Film Lens
Benda Bilili! is a 2010 documentary directed by Renaud Barret and Florent de La Tullaye that follows the Kinshasa street musician group Staff Benda Bilili. The group consists of musicians who are disabled due to polio, and the film captures their rise from performing on the streets of Kinshasa to gaining worldwide acclaim. The title 'Benda Bilili' translates to 'look beyond appearances' in Lingala, reflecting the film's focus on the musicians' talents and their journey against adversity.
The documentary was filmed over a span of five years, beginning in 2004 when Barret and de La Tullaye first encountered the group. It captures the vibrant social environment of urban Kinshasa while showcasing the musicians' wonder at the world beyond their immediate surroundings. The film premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, where it received standing ovations, and later opened in American theaters in 2011 despite some logistical challenges.
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.
Perfect For
World music fansDocumentary enthusiastsCultural exploration