Benda Bilili!

Benda Bilili! is a heartfelt and truly special French-Congolese documentary from 2010 directed by Renaud Barret and Florent de La Tullaye. The documentary focuses on the incredible journey of the street musical band Staff Benda Bilili.

The film is named after the group, Staff Benda Bilili, which is a band from Kinshasa, the capital and the largest city of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It translates to 'look beyond appearances' and aptly represents the spirit of the band.

The significant power of the film lies within its main characters, the members of Benda Bilili, namely Ricard Kabako, Roger Landu, Coco Ngambali, Theo Nsituvuidi and several other associates. The band is a combination of various street musicians, the majority of whom have suffered from polio. Despite their physical disabilities, they vigorously create music using handmade instruments that echo across the desperate slums and affluent areas of the Congolese capital.

The central figure amongst them is none other than Leon Likabu, a paraplegic singer, composer, and the de facto leader of the group. His resilience and innovative spirit galvanize the band to pursue their music strongly and fervently.

In Benda Bilili!, filmmakers Barret and De La Tullaye powerfully chronicle the lives of these underprivileged musicians over five years. From their challenging life scenarios to their artistic brilliance, the streets of Kinshasa in this unique and vibrant group's journey. Their music style, a brilliant fusion of rumba, soul, and funk, resonates along with the backdrop of their arduous lives.

A critical focus within the movie is the band's youngest member, Roger Landu, a street child, who becomes the group's lead instrumentalist. Landu, armed with his 'sateur'—a one-stringed, tin-can guitar handcrafted from scrap, renders a unique energy to the sound of Benda Bilili. His journey in the film is nothing short of empowering, and his transformative arc runs parallel to that of the band, from the impoverished streets of Kinshasa to international fame.

This inspirational story does not merely stop at their musical pursuits but also delves into their personal lives and the hardships they face. The stark contrast of their dreams and reality is a sobering reminder of the unequal distribution of opportunities and wealth in the world. Their struggles with poverty, homelessness, survival, physical disabilities, and yet their indomitable spirit shine through.

What truly sets Benda Bilili! apart is the music itself. These are not simply songs but stories of their life, telling tales about street life and survival, the struggles and hopes of the downtrodden. The lyrics to their songs are inspiring, poetic realities that showcase the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Overall, Benda Bilili! is not just a movie but a testament to the power of human will, strength, and artistic expression in the often-overlooked corners of the world. It is filled with a sense of discovery, revelation, and a testament to the human spirit's dire capacity for resilience. The beats of Staff Benda Bilili reverberate with their yearnings, dreams, joy, pain, and hopes.

With a beautiful and thoughtful juxtaposition of abject poverty and the blitheness of music, Benda Bilili! forces the audience to snap out of their complacency to witness the naked truth of a world that is often neglected.

The takeaway is not one of pity but inspiration, not of despair but courage, and not of defeat but triumphant victory of the human spirit above adversities. Watching Benda Bilili! is like treating yourself to an authentically enriching human experience that will stir your emotions and stimulate your sense of compassion. It is a moving and poignant journey not just into the lives of the members of the band but also into a forgotten part of the world where people create magic from adversity.