Review of Benda Bilili! (2010) by Andrew S — 11 Jun 2011

Speaking as someone who has never been interested in, let alone watched, "music films", it's difficult to know where to start with Benda Bilili. It is a film that is as much about the characters and their stories as it is about their music, and much like the more recent films TT3D and Senna, it is this that makes it a gripping watch regardless of whether you like or are inspired by the same things that drive the individuals who are having their stories told.

This documentary shows how a group of older paraplegic men who "have a band" act as mentors and fathers to younger able-bodied but disadvantaged youngsters, giving them confidence in their abilities to play music, entertain others and have a fulfilling time doing it. It charts their discovery by some French film makers, who pay out of their own funds for the band to have some recording sessions. During the course of their story, as they feel like they are "on the up", tragedy hits both individuals and the group as a whole, and as the viewer I found myself willing them not to give up, so stay strong, and keep going. And thankfully they did, and the film subsequently charts their travels to perform at a big concert in Europe.

Ultimately I found the story heartwarming and encouraging, and I warmed to a couple of the main characters especially. I can't say it is the best film I've seen that tells of trials through adversity, but then again the others I've seen have generally scripted and dramatised (most obvious example with parallels in Slumdog Millionnaire), so this is a triumph in that it follows real people. I'd recommend it to people, its worth a watch.