Macadam Tribu is a 1996 comedy-drama produced by José Zeka Laplaine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The film was selected as the Democratic Republic of the Congo's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 70th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.
Contents
Plot
Two brothers, Mike (recently released from prison) and Kapa roam the streets, bars and boxing halls with Duka, their neighborhood friend.
Duka is the result of a not-so-secret fling with Papa Sandu, who owns the neighborhood bar.
In the evening, everyone ends up in the bar to discuss the events of the day, the street and the TV.
This is also where Bavusi, the mother of Mike and Kapa, comes to remember better times. Other people of the neighborhood who meet at the bar include a policeman and prostitutes. Each has their place. One day, Duka decides to return to the ring to face the great champion Kabeya. The whole neighborhood is there to support him, but the fight goes wrong and Duka falls into a coma.
The characters outwit the authorities, make deals with each other and undertake communal projects that bring them together, notably a theatre project.
Afro-pop music provides a background to the film.
Reception
Le Monde said that in this lively but disenchanted street the director José Laplaine brings his characters to life with humor and affection. There is no real story ...
La Tribune Desfosses said that "With Macadam Tribu, the Zairian José Laplaine directs a story of a warm African city punctuated by the music of Papa Wemba, the Zairian rumba king. ".
Festivals
The film was shown at a number of festivals: