by Jo Johnstone
Headlines from The Congo in Africa portray it as a violent and inhumane place to live. With the spread of fatal disease, civil war and poverty, the mass hardship of the continent is known to the world. Yet in Kristof Bilsen’s documentary, Elephant’s Dream, the filmmaker aims to tell the inner struggles of the people by observing those who work for its public sector in Kinshasa, Africa’s third largest city. In the poetic documentary Bilsen lets the people tell their own stories and also offer reasons as to why their country is in such difficulties.
Headlines from The Congo in Africa portray it as a violent and inhumane place to live. With the spread of fatal disease, civil war and poverty, the mass hardship of the continent is known to the world. Yet in Kristof Bilsen’s documentary, Elephant’s Dream, the filmmaker aims to tell the inner struggles of the people by observing those who work for its public sector in Kinshasa, Africa’s third largest city. In the poetic documentary Bilsen lets the people tell their own stories and also offer reasons as to why their country is in such difficulties.
The documentary follows workers from state run institutions in Kinshasa, Africa. A post office, railway station and near derelict fire department tell the tales of citizens working within the countries public sector. Each may be employed but face the same struggles as those unemployed, with wages not being paid and their necessary departments lacking in funding. All sadly face the hardships that their developing country brings yet speak with both cynicism and hope that things can change.
The film is the first feature length documentary by Kristof Bilsen. Previously the director had worked on a number of shorts that also highlighted social inequalities within African society. His previous short, White Elephant, was based around the same central post office which he describes as ‘a relic of the colonial past’ in his feature. With this film he has continued the points he stressed in his previous works with greater convictions.
The film intertwines between a number of workers as they convey their working life and the issues they face. Each personal or group has a different viewpoint and their stance on the issue. The men from the railway station seem more cynical and even angry about their current state. While Herietta from the post office seems hopeful that the system will come through.
The film is the first feature length documentary by Kristof Bilsen. Previously the director had worked on a number of shorts that also highlighted social inequalities within African society. His previous short, White Elephant, was based around the same central post office which he describes as ‘a relic of the colonial past’ in his feature. With this film he has continued the points he stressed in his previous works with greater convictions.
The film intertwines between a number of workers as they convey their working life and the issues they face. Each personal or group has a different viewpoint and their stance on the issue. The men from the railway station seem more cynical and even angry about their current state. While Herietta from the post office seems hopeful that the system will come through.
With any documentary, it is clear that the majority of film makers will have an agenda. Here, the film clearly displays the hardships that African citizens face while their country is exploited and used by other countries and businesses. Instead of the Michael Moore's tactic of ramming it down the audience’s throat. here Bilsen merely demonstrates his point of view through individual interwoven stories. The films points are seen through circumstance and personal perspective rather than direct proof or investigation. This, in many ways. is the films weakness as well as strength. Elephant's Dream has the personal and individual feel to it but is lacking in an objective argument.
Despite its bitter circumstances. the film is not all doom and gloom. Headlines of the African Congo may be dominated by stories of violence and chaos but here the film maker displays a real human side to the Congo. People, despite their hardships, living day to day. There are glimmers of hope amongst subjects despite a sadly bitter ending.
In terms of tone the film is a slow burning. At only an hour and fifteen minutes, it has a monotone pace. Yet what the film may lack it pace and action it makes up for in personal perspective. Rather than an outsider overseeing the structure of a documentary and giving view points and opinions on the state of each scenario it is the everyday workers that tell their own tales. Reasons such as corruption, outside interference, past injustices and even ingrained apathy are presented as courses to the countries issues.
An interesting, if slightly slow, portrayal of life in The Congo. The film's strongest point is that it feels to be told from the inside rather than an outsider observing yet the sheer lack of argument loosens the film maker’s argument.
Despite its bitter circumstances. the film is not all doom and gloom. Headlines of the African Congo may be dominated by stories of violence and chaos but here the film maker displays a real human side to the Congo. People, despite their hardships, living day to day. There are glimmers of hope amongst subjects despite a sadly bitter ending.
In terms of tone the film is a slow burning. At only an hour and fifteen minutes, it has a monotone pace. Yet what the film may lack it pace and action it makes up for in personal perspective. Rather than an outsider overseeing the structure of a documentary and giving view points and opinions on the state of each scenario it is the everyday workers that tell their own tales. Reasons such as corruption, outside interference, past injustices and even ingrained apathy are presented as courses to the countries issues.
An interesting, if slightly slow, portrayal of life in The Congo. The film's strongest point is that it feels to be told from the inside rather than an outsider observing yet the sheer lack of argument loosens the film maker’s argument.
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