Félicité
Félicité

Movie spotlight

Félicité

2017
Movie
123 min
Lingala

Félicité, a strong and proud woman, sings in bars in Kinshasa. She drifts away from reality when her 14-year-old son gets into an accident. In electric Kinshasa, she wanders in a world of music & dreams... until love unexpectedly brings her back to life.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Metacritic82/100
Google Users89%
Director: Alain GomisGenres: Drama, Music

Plot Summary

Félicité, a proud and independent singer in Kinshasa, struggles to find money to pay for her son's surgery after he falls from a motorcycle. As she navigates the bustling streets and confronts apathetic bureaucracy, she finds solace and expression in her music, connecting with a group of men who appreciate her talent and spirit. Her journey becomes a powerful testament to resilience and the vibrant cultural pulse of the city.

Critical Reception

Félicité received widespread critical acclaim for its vibrant portrayal of modern African urban life, its powerful performances, and its unique blend of music and drama. Critics lauded its unflinching depiction of daily struggles contrasted with moments of profound beauty and human connection. The film was celebrated for its authentic atmosphere and its ability to capture the spirit of Kinshasa through its protagonist's journey.

What Reviewers Say

  • A visually stunning and musically rich exploration of life in Kinshasa.

  • Véro Tshanda Beya delivers a magnetic and unforgettable performance.

  • Gomis masterfully blends raw reality with moments of poetic grace.

Google audience: Audiences praised Félicité for its authentic depiction of life in Kinshasa, its captivating music, and Véro Tshanda Beya's compelling lead performance. Many found the film to be a moving and powerful portrayal of a woman's resilience in the face of adversity.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival, and was selected as the Senegalese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards.

Fun Fact

The film's soundtrack heavily features the music of Senegalese jazz musician Manu Dibango, who also appears in the film.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Hats off to the touchingly lively performance here from Véro Tshanda Beya Mputu in the title role. She makes her living singing in a Kinshasa bar and life's fine until her teenage son finds himself in need of medical attention after a motor...