On 27 July, AfricAvenir will host the Namibian premiere of the Burundese film, Rwagasore: Life, Struggle, Hope, directed by Justine Bitagoye and Pascal Capitolin, and produced by Johan Deflander.
The 67-minute film is in Kirundi and French, with English subtitles.
On 1 July 2013 Burundi celebrated 51 years of independence. One man, an emblematic figure of the anti-colonial struggle is directly linked to this independence – Prince Louis Rwagasore, son of King Mwambutsa IV Bangiricenge. In the short span of his political life, he managed to gather a crowd of militants in support of his vision: to cast off the colonial yoke.
In October 1961, at the first free election, Rwagasore’s party was victorious and he became prime minister. A few days after the formation of his government, he was assassinated. On 1 July 1962 Burundi finally achieved its independence in the absence of the man who gave his life and soul to reach that grand day.
The filmmakers have this to say: “The documentary is based on what immediate witnesses could tell us and on historical sources. While Rwagasore is well known as the hero of the independence, little is known about his life and what his vision truly was. This film opens a window to his life and political struggle. It shows us the illustrious man behind the myth and justifies the interpretation of the apparent defeat of his death as a living hope for Burundi, now and tomorrow.’
Rwagasore will screen on Saturday, 27 July at 19h00 at the Goethe Centre in Windhoek. Entrance is N$30.
See the film’s official website: http://www.rwagasore.com/english/
