May not be a remarkable film, but it is definitely worthwhile. Sadly the strengths aren't in its plot, which zigs when it should zag and goes for the awkward plot solutions just to move the movie forward (some don't even make historical sense). Fortunately in the end the whole film nicely wraps up and despite the almost Hollywood happy ending it just feels so fitting that you wouldn't envisage it any other way. In a movie about ancestral pride and the private coping with the heritage of colonialism only an optimistic and upbeat note feels to suit the movie. It is about moving forward and going on with your head up high.
All in all what is said and suggested in various scenes of the movie makes it a worthwhile experience. The sub-textual Pieces d'Identities and all connotations around this essential theme is makes this an essential African movie.
Mani Kongo (Gérard Essomba) is the king of the Bakongo. Years have passed since the fall of colonialism but most Congolese live with a smaller or larger stigma of the Belgian rule. His only daughter, Mwana, (Dominique Mesa) left for Belgium to study being a doctor, but contact with her has been lost. Mani Kongo decides to travel to Belgium in search of his beloved daughter. On arriving he will have to cope with the very best and the very worst of the black diaspora, as well as with prejudices rampant in European society. He himself will find good friends amongst poor low-class whites showing that nothing is ever black or white...
I feel this may be a very poor summary, that doesn't necessarily explain the movie and all its strengths. I will however note that tech credits and acting are excellent.
