Over the last decade, the influence of immigrants from Africa has grown larger and stronger. So now’s the time for the 6th Annual Congo in Harlem Film and Event series hosted by Maysles Cinema in the coming weeks. You can catch films depicting various Congolese experiences and more on October 16th-24th.
The showings include Bwana Kitoko, Examen D’Etat (National Diploma), and a special panel discussion, Peace and Stability in the DRC: The 2016 Elections and Congo’s Constitution.
Birthed on the 2 and 3 uptown trains, the Congo in Harlem Film and Event series is a volunteer-run, non-profit series assembled and presented by Friends of the Congo, True-Walker Productions, Maysles Cinemas.
Many know about Congo from outside media’s reports on their conflicts. But others including co-curator, Nelson Walker, believe that the world needs to learn about the Congo from its own people.
“[The Congo 6 Team and I] had participated in many different Congo-related events… few of them included Congolese perspectives,” says Walker, 36. So they created this event series as a platform for Congolese activists and artists.
In sharing the Congolese perspective through art and dialogue, Walker hopes for a better understanding of the Congo. “If people can connect with Congo in a personal and positive way,” says Walker. “They’re more likely to maintain a sustained interest and engage in meaningful ways.”
People can connect and engage while enjoying the different Congolese food music, food and films of each night. Walker encourages all to join the best attended ongoing series at Maysles in celebrating Congolese culture, diversity, and the Congolese viewpoint.
“Each night is designed to be a highlight,” says Walker. “It’s going to be a lot of fun…bring a date!”
Click here for the complete schedule of screenings.