Elephant’s Dream
Dir. Kristof Bilsen
DR Congo/Belgium, 2014, 72 min.
Lingala & French w/ English subtitles
Elephant’s Dream tells the story of a group of public sector workers who live in the third largest city in Africa, Kinshasa, DR Congo, where the weight of history has not stopped them from pursuing their hopes and dreams. The film takes us beyond the usual reports of the Congo, providing poetic and compassionate insight into a country in transition, as seen through the microcosm of three state-owned institutions: a rail station, the central post office and the only existing fire station in Kinshasa. At times surreal, at times hopeful, this film reveals a surprising perspective on lives lived beyond chaos.
Post-screening discussion with filmmaker Kristof Bilsen +
reception with live music by Isaac Katalay and the Life Long Project
Filmmaker:
Kristof Bilsen completed a BA in Filmmaking in Brussels in 2002. His first film, Three Women, about female detainees in a Belgian prison, was shortlisted for the Henri Storck Prize and aired on Belgian National Television. Elephant’s Dream, his first feature film, is a co-production with Limerick Films, Associate Directors, Man’s Films and RTBF. His work has screened at more than 50 festivals worldwide, taking home several awards including the Nanook/Jean Rouch Grand Prize in Paris.