Kinshasa, Congo — Nelson Makengo, a Congolese documentary filmmaker celebrated for his poignant storytelling and visual aesthetic, has embarked on a new cinematic journey with the production of “Nzonzing.” Directed by Moimi Wezam in his sophomore effort, this documentary peeks into the lives of four young residents of Kinshasa, illustrating how they harness creativity to navigate the challenges of rampant unemployment and limited prospects in this bustling African metropolis. The film, a collaborative venture between Senegal, Congo, and Canada, is slated for release in 2025.
Makengo, who recently clinched the Special Jury Award at Visions du Réel for his first feature-length documentary “Rising Up at Night,” doubles as the cinematographer for “Nzonzing.” He describes the documentary as a thematic continuation of his earlier work, which also delves into the nocturnal life of Kinshasa. According to him, both films explore the resilience and transformative energy that characterize Kinshasa’s urban fabric, providing a fresh lens through which viewers can engage with the city.
“Rising Up at Night,” which is currently being showcased at the Durban International Film Festival, portrays the struggles of Kinshasa’s denizens against a backdrop of crime, power outages, and the looming threat of flooding from the Congo River. This first feature of Makengo not only showcases the daily battles to find light amid darkness but also juxtaposes these struggles against ambitious infrastructural projects like plans for Africa’s largest hydroelectric plant near the city.
The film’s international exposure began when it premiered at the Berlin Film Festival’s Panorama section and continues as it circulates globally, represented by Square Eyes based in Vienna. “Rising Up at Night” offers an enigmatic yet vivid portrait of Kinshasa, celebrating its odd beauty and the tenacity of its people.
Makengo, a native of Kinshasha, recalls that his perception of the city’s nightly blackouts changed dramatically after his first trip abroad in 2016. The stark difference between Kinshasa’s pervasive darkness and the illuminated nights of cities like Paris and Brussels deeply affected him. This contrast led him to explore these dynamics through his film, underlining the acceptance and resilience embedded in the local way of life despite severe urban challenges.
Before turning to professional filmmaking, Makengo’s passion for cinema was sparked by watching documentaries on television, such as Jihan El-Tahri’s “Cuba, an African Odyssey.” His early experiences making documentaries were familial and communal, capturing local life and celebrations to forge and reinforce social bonds.
Produced by a mix of international and local partners, including Twenty Nine Studio and Production (Belgium), Mutotu Productions (Congo), and several European co-producers, “Rising Up at Night” has garnered acclaim and support through various industry labs and workshops, among them IDFAcademy and Berlinale Talents. It also won the top prize at the Marrakech Film Festival’s Atlas Workshops in 2020.
Makengo remains deeply rooted in the context of his hometown, describing Kinshasa as an “unfinished city” embedded in the relentless demographic surge of the 21st century. His films reflect not just the physical and civic landscape of Kinshasa but also serve as a canvas for exploring broader issues of identity, national construction, and the dream-like vision of statehood.
Through his cinematic endeavors, Makengo has embarked on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, drawing patience and inspiration from the individuals he portrays in his films. As he quests to illustrate the complex realities of his homeland, both “Rising Up at Night” and “Nzonzing” promise to offer global audiences a unique and insightful view into life in Kinshasa.