Draft:Atalaku (film)
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| Atalaku | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Dieudo Hamadi |
| Written by | Dieudo Hamadi |
| Produced by | Mutotu Productions |
| Cinematography | Dieudo Hamadi |
| Edited by | Dieudo Hamadi Penda Houzangbe |
Release date |
|
Running time | 60 minutes |
| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Language | French |
Atalaku is a 2013 Congolese documentary film directed by Dieudonné Hamadi. The film explores the phenomenon of Atalaku (Lingala for "town criers"), charismatic street commentators who serve as grassroots information channels in Kinshasa's urban culture.[1]
Synopsis
[edit]The documentary follows several Atalaku in Kinshasa as they:
- Navigate the city's informal information networks
- Blend news, advertising and social commentary
- Reflect on their role in Congolese society
- Struggle with economic challenges and political pressures
Plot
[edit]Atalaku offers an insider view into the 2011 Congolese presidential election through the lens of grassroots commentators. The film focuses on Gaylor, a struggling pastor who becomes an Atalaku for political candidates. As he mobilizes voters in Kinshasa's streets, director Dieudo Hamadi captures the charged atmosphere and public discontent. The documentary culminates with the contested electoral process, where poverty and distrust undermine the polls.[2]
Style and genre
[edit]Filmed in Cinéma vérité style, Atalaku blends elements of:
- Observational documentary (following subjects without intervention)
- Ethnographic film (studying the Atalaku subculture)
The film was shot handheld and on location in Kinshasa, often in real-time, following events as they unfolded.[3]
Production
[edit]Filmed entirely in Kinshasa, the documentary includes:
- Verité-style footage of Atalaku at work
- Interviews with practitioners
- Observations of their transition into media personalities
Atalaku was Hamadi’s first feature-length documentary, shot with minimal equipment. According to Hamadi, the lack of film infrastructure in Congo led him to use available digital tools and a compact team to complete the project.[4]
Cultural context
[edit]Atalaku represent a modern evolution of traditional African oral culture, combining elements of:
- Griot storytelling traditions
- Urban street journalism
- Commercial promotion techniques
- Political and social satire
In contemporary Kinshasa, these figures act as a hybrid between political mobilizers, entertainers, and social critics, particularly during election seasons.[5]
Awards
[edit]- 2013: Cinéma du Réel, Paris – Joris Ivens Prize for Best First Film[1]
- 2013: FIDADOC, Agadir – Jury Prize[3]
- 2014: Black Movie Film Festival, Geneva – Young Adults Jury Award[6]
See also
[edit]- State of Siege – another documentary by Dieudo Hamadi
- Cinema of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
References
[edit]- ^ a b "RDC: «Atalaku» ou l'urgence du témoignage". RFI. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ "Atalaku – Dieudo Hamadi". Cinéma du Réel. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Atalaku, crieurs – Dieudo Hamadi". Africultures. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ "How do you become a documentary filmmaker in a country where there is no film?". Joris Ivens Foundation. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ "Dieudo Hamadi, réalisateur congolais: «Le documentaire est la forme la plus compatible avec mon environnement»". Télérama. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ "Festival Black Movie: Dieudo Hamadi lauréat du prix des jeunes". ADIAC-Congo. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
External links
[edit]- Atalaku at IMDb
- Atalaku at film-documentaire.fr
- How do you become a documentary filmmaker in a country where there is no film?
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