Review of Benda Bilili! (2010) by Ola S — 16 Apr 2011

The term "fantastic people" is often used and often misused. But what else can you say about these middle-aged invalids, living in the terrible slums of Kongo-Kinshasa among beggars, thieves and child prostitutes, whom they try to help? They have this band. The instrument can be a guitar made of wood with just one string. Or just a can, a twig and a string. Still they can play melodies. A man who can't walk can still dance. And so on.

This French documentary follows them. A miracle or many miracles occur. The team helps the band to make a record. It's a success in Africa and Europe and in the end, the band is giving concerts for enthusiastic European audiences.

You have seen documentaries from poor parts of Africa before, but you have seldom met the individuals. There are absolutely no such things as masses. A population consists of different people. Many of us ought to admit that we've had the kind of racist attitude which says humans in misery are all the same. We can surely use "Benda Bilili".