This Is Congo

This Is Congo is a gripping and thought-provoking documentary from 2017, offering an immersive and unfiltered look into Africa's longest running conflict - the ongoing civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Beyond just delineating the stunning landscapes of the central African country, the film also delves deep into the intricate layers of an ongoing humanitarian disaster, one that is marked by relentless violence, crippling poverty, and staggering political corruption.

The film is directed by Daniel McCabe, a first-time filmmaker with a background in photojournalism, who earlier had his work featured in reputed outlets like The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, and Time. McCabe’s experience in covering armed conflicts and international affairs comes to the fore in This Is Congo. Over a span of nearly four years, he brings together a powerful narrative guided by the perspective of four distinct individuals: a whistleblower, a patriotic military commander, a mineral dealer and a displaced tailor.

Without a voiceover, the four prominent figures share their own stories, allowing viewers an intimate exploration of their lives deeply affected by the country’s complex and turbulent history. This leads us into a deep understanding of the heavy toll the conflict takes on the citizens of this resource-rich country. At the same time, the film never loses sight of the grand political and economical forces that stoke the fires of the conflict.

Colonel Kasongo, the patriotic military commander, provides the audiences with an insider's perspective, recounting his fervent war against the M23 rebels, known for their brutal actions and atrocities on civilians. With the help of a disguised whistleblower, the film uncovers the bureaucratic corruption that infests the government and military infrastructure, blatantly leeching out the country's wealth. The tailor serves as a beacon of resilience representing the millions of civilians whose lives are upended by the conflict, as he traverses through packed refugee camps and bullet-ridden towns. The mineral dealer's narrative brings to light the other end of the spectrum – the exploitation of Congo's mineral wealth and how it perpetuates the cycle of violence and poverty.

This Is Congo also does an exceptional job of providing historical context to the present situation. It illuminates on how the independence from Belgian colonial rule, the dictatorial reign of Mobutu Sese Seko, and the subsequent war have shaped the sociopolitical landscape of the country. It also underlines the global implications of the current predicaments, shedding light on how the demand for Congo's mineral resources contributes to the sustained unrest.

Bearing witness to the harrowing realities of a forgotten conflict, This Is Congo encapsulates the plight, resilience, and spirit of the Congolese people. McCabe’s work makes a mark not just for its investigative courage and its untethering from stereotypical narratives, but also for the remarkable humanization of a crisis that is often relegated to statistics.

This documentary is visually striking, the cinematography capturing the dramatic contrast between Congo's breathtaking natural beauty and the devastating human suffering that the land bears witness to. The intensive scenes of gunfight are balanced out by captivating everyday shots of the bustling markets, vibrant Congolese music, and vivacious local dance forms.

Intense yet enlightening, This Is Congo is a profound examination of a dire human condition that often slips under the radar of popular media. It is a remarkable film that leaves a lasting impression and encourages viewers to question their own roles in this global narrative. A beautiful and haunting cinematic experience, it successfully challenges a range of preconceptions about Congo’s ongoing civil unrest and resonates universally in an empathy-touched storyline. Concurrently, it pays poignant tribute to the strength of a people caught in a desperate struggle for survival and a longing for peace.