Benda Bilili!
Beyond appearances.
Beyond appearances.
Documentary, Music
-
2010
Available on
Country
Ricky has a dream: to make Staff Benda Bilili the best band in Congo Kinshasa. Roger, a street child, more than ever wants to join these stars of the ghetto, who get around in customized tricycles. Together, they must avoid the pitfalls of the street, stay united and find the force to hope in music. For six years, from the first rehearsals to their triumph in international festivals, BENDA BILILI! (“beyond appearances”) is the story of this dream come reality.
Director:
Cast:
Details
Rated:
PG-13
Runtime:
86 min
Release date:
19 Aug 2010
Country:
CD, FR
Languages:
Lingala, French
Budget:
$0
Revenue:
$0
Awards:
3 wins & 4 nominations
Top Critics Reviews
fresh:
Staff Benda Bilili's unlikely triumph is an epic feat, with or without anyone's help.
– Stephanie Merry,
Washington Post,
14 Oct 2011
fresh:
From out of the gloom comes the hypnotic grooves of a band called Staff Benda Bilili. The name means "look beyond appearances," and the members of this remarkable musical collective do just that.
– Peter Howell,
Toronto Star,
14 Oct 2011
fresh:
Benda Belili! reminds us that we need to look beyond The X Factor to discover musical talent that strikes a deeper chord.
– Jennie Punter,
Globe and Mail,
14 Oct 2011
fresh:
"Benda Bilili!" earns its exclamation point. It's a feel-good movie that actually makes you feel good, a story that will have you shaking your head in astonishment and moving your feet to some unstoppable rhythms.
– Kenneth Turan,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Oct 2011
fresh:
"Benda Bilili!" is brutally real, a document of willpower that shows not only the magic of transcendence - which may be fleeting - but also the transformation of aspiring to it, every struggling step of the way.
– David DeWitt,
New York Times,
29 Sep 2011