National Geographic Events

All Roads Film Project

Benda Bilili!

Date
September 14, 2011
Location Washington, D.C.
Price NG MEMBER $8 / 9-FILM SERIES PLUS DANCE PARTY $80; GENERAL PUBLIC $10 / 9-FILM SERIES PLUS DANCE PARTY $100

Past Event

Image from Benda Bilili!

Photograph courtesy the filmmaker

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Directed by Renaud Barret and Florent de la Tullaye
Democratic Republic of the Congo, France I 2010 I 88 min I Lingala and French with English subtitles
US Premiere

Ricky has a dream: to make Staff Benda Bilili the best band in Congo. Roger, a street child, more than ever wants to join these stars of the ghetto, who get around in customized tricycles. Together, they must avoid the pitfalls of the street, stay united and find the force to hope in music. Spanning five years, from the first rehearsals to their triumph at international festivals, Benda Bilili! (“beyond appearances”) is the story of this dream becoming a reality.

Shown with the music video Tundra of Árvas

Renaud Barret and Florent de La Tullaye
Co-Directors
For the past seven years, filmmakers Renaud Barret and Florent de La Tullaye have been filming Staff Benda Bilili, a revolutionary and politically active Congolese band made up of disabled musicians. Filmmakers Renaud Barret and Florent de La Tullaye discovered Staff Benda Bilili, financed their first album and followed them on their long road towards a better life as professional musicians.

Co-host: National Geographic Entertainment