La Rançon d'une alliance (English title: The Ransom of an Alliance) is a 1974 Congolese drama film directed by Sébastien Kamba.
| La Rançon d'une alliance | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sébastien Kamba |
| Written by | Sébastien Kamba |
| Produced by | Sébastien Kamba, Ministère de la Coopération Français |
Release date | 1974 |
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | Republic of the Congo |
| Languages | Kituba, Lingala |
Plot edit
Two tribes, the Tsembo and the Tsoundi, have an alliance in pre-colonial Congo after years of contentious struggle. The son and daughter of the tribes' rulers are married to cement the alliance. Years later however, the wife, Hakoula, has an affair with a handsome slave. Bizenga, the slave, was killed on the spot. This infidelity sparks a devastating war between the tribes with a great deal of bloodshed. The son of Hakoula manages to end the war and free all the slaves. This allows a modern society emphasizing freedom and liberty to form, disregarding past traditions.
Production edit
The film is an adaptation of the novel La légende de Mfoumou Ma Mazono by Jean Malonga.[1] It was director Sébastien Kamba's first feature film, as he had previously been known for his documentary work, and addressed the taboo subject of African slavery. It was also the first film to be produced in the Republic of the Congo after independence. La rançon d'une alliance was shot in the languages of Kituba and Lingala.[2] It was produced by Kamba and the Ministère de la Coopération Français.[3] Though it is fiction, the film is based on actual history.[4]
Release and reception edit
In November 1978, the film premiered in the United States at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.[2] It was generally well received. Black African Cinema by Nwachukwu Frank Ukadike called it "a bold cinematic evaluation of traditional mores, it nevertheless lacks the kind of spirit of filmic innovation that might influence or induce other Black African filmmakers to reassess their film styles."[5]
References edit
- ^ "La rançon d'une alliance". IFFR. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Voir ou revoir : " La rançon d'une alliance " de Sébastien Kamba". Adiac-Congo.com (in French). 22 February 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "LA RANÇON D'UNE ALLIANCE". Torino Film Fest. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "The Price of a Union (La Rancon d'Une Alliance) plus Body and Mind (Le Corps et L'Esprit)". BAMPFA. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ Ukadike, Nwachukwu Frank (1994). Black African Cinema. University of California Press. p. 172. ISBN 0520912365.
External links edit
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