Lumumba is a political thriller based on the true story of Patrice Émery Lumumba – the working class boy who dared rise up against the Belgian colonial powers to fight for an independent Congo. Peck masterfully portrays Lumumba’s short political career – from becoming Congo’s first legally elected Prime Minister in 1960, to the year after, when he was arrested, tortured and killed in a brutal military coup led by Colonel Mobutu.

A serious and visually penetrating film with sometimes grotesque images. Already in the opening scene we sense that this film will reveal well-hidden secrets – as two soldiers are in the process of removing traces of evil deeds we still cannot entirely grasp the extent of – with testimony of the actual witness.

Original title Lumumba

Year 2000

Director Raoul PECK

Screenplay Pascal BONITZER, Dan EDELSTEIN, Raoul PECK

Cinematography Bernard LUTIC

Producer Jacques BIDOU, Raoul PECK, Shelby STONE

Cast Eriq EBOUANEY, Alex DESCAS, Théophile SOWIÉ, Maka KOTTO

Production Company Arte, Canal +

Runtime 1h 55m

Format 35mm