A documentary about Congo's real treasure

Event Black History Month

Discover the full BHM x AB programme here.

This screening will take place at CINEMA PALACE.

Black History Month Belgium (BHM) and AB join forces for a month-long celebration of the resilience of the black community, with an opening night on Wednesday 2 February for the whole event in Brussels. This year’s theme is ‘The Power of Assembly’. With this theme in mind, we present ‘Sebene Night’! In partnership with ‘Kingdom of Kela’, an Antwerp organisation with a solid reputation in the Afro-dance world, we’re holding a major celebration with lots of music and dancing. This celebration will start with a screening of the documentary 'The Rumba Kings' at Cinema Palace.

'The Rumba Kings' celebrates the epic quest of Congolese Rumba. The music that helped the Congo fight colonial oppression, find freedom and forge a new identity.

In the 1950s, when the Democratic Republic of the Congo was a Belgian colony, a generation of Congolese musicians fused traditional African rhythms with Afro-Cuban music to create the electrifying beat of Congolese Rumba. A beat that would carry Congo through its independence and captivate the entire African continent with its infectious groove, mesmerizing guitar licks, and smooth vocals. The Rumba Kings features music by Franco Luambo & OK Jazz, Grand Kallé & African Jazz and Docteur Nico & African Fiesta Sukisa.

Running time: 94 minutes
Languages: French and Lingala (with English Subtitles)

Read more about the BHM x AB 2022 edition here.

More about Black History Month Belgium here.

In the press

"The Rumba Kings is a powerful musical experience that
finally places the Congolese musicians Franco Luambo,
Grand Kallé and Dr. Nico in their rightful place among
the finest musicians of the world, all the while
masterfully showing us why Congo is one of the
motherlands of music."
JEFFREY LEVY-HINTE (When we were kings)

"An amazing film! The beauty, dignity, talent and soul of
Congo is perfectly represented. Everyone needs to see this
film and together we can rise from the darkness to the
light with The Rumba Kings."
MARK JOHNSON (Playing for Change)