Panenka

Joseph Désiré Mobutu (1930-1997). A dictator such as Africa has rarely known one, he remained in power in Congo for no less than 32 years. His reign was characterised by a continuous balancing between collaboration with the Western world and a pursuit of African 'authenticité'.

Mobutu will be a historical retrospect, inevitably interwoven with the contemporary story of "black lives matter". We talk to people who were in Mobutu's inner circle and we'll investigate the relationship between Congo and the western world. Mobutu will be an eye-opener that hàs to reach the younger generation.

The series is made by Guillaume Graux, Joost Vandensande (International Emmy Award nominee for Return to Rwanda) and Wendy Bashi. It is realised with the support of the Flemish Film Fund (VAF), Centre du Cinema of the French community in Belgium (CCA), Screen Flanders and the Belgian Tax Shelter. The series is a co-production with VRT, RTBF and Proximus.

Info:

• Director: Guillaume Graux
• Editor-in-chief: Joost Vandensande, Wendy Bashi
• Duration: 4 x 50'
• Release: VRT/Canvas, planned for 2023