Machérie Ekwa Bahango’s film ‘Madi Makambu’ has been awarded the Final Cut’s La Biennale di Venezia Prize at the Venice Film Festival. The project centers on two characters, Madi and Djino, whose relationship becomes complicated when Madi becomes pregnant with a child fathered by someone else. Rather than nurturing the child, the protagonist must reckon with her personal history.
The jury panel, composed of Tareq Al-Ibrahim, Mariette Rissenbeek, and Tamara Tatishvili, selected the film for featuring a compelling young female character navigating violence and social injustice. Ekwa Bahango, a self-taught filmmaker, has centered her work on women’s experiences and resilience. Her previous short film, ‘Sema,’ emerged from collaborations with women survivors of rape and violence in eastern Congo. Her debut feature, ‘Maki’la,’ which premiered at Berlinale, examined children living on the streets.
Ekwa Bahango explained her creative approach, noting that her film subjects originate from her immediate surroundings and lived reality. She elected not to pursue formal film school training, believing such institutions could restrict the creative freedom and vulnerability her work demands. The filmmaker emphasized her commitment to representing Congo beyond stereotypical international perceptions, positioning her nation as a significant presence within global cinema rather than as a subject defined by external labels.
The director identified financial constraints as a primary challenge for filmmakers working locally in Congo, alongside limited awareness of cinema’s cultural significance. She noted that international audiences, particularly in Western markets, are still developing appreciation for Congolese cinema, which remains underrepresented and often subject to homogenizing expectations about African filmmaking broadly.
‘Madi Makambu’ is produced by CL1 D’oeil Studio and co-produced by Boucan Films.
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