FELICITE

Belgium/ Senegal, 2017, 120 minutes, Colour.
Vero Tshanda Beya Mputu, Gaetan Claudia, Papi Mpaka.
Directed by Alan Gomis.

While the director of this film comes from Senegal and financing comes from there as well as some European countries, especially Belgium, the story is set in Congo, in the city of Kinshasa. With the filming in the streets of Kinshasa, in the villages on the outskirts, in a visit to a mansion, the audience can feel that it has been immersed in something of the life of the city and its characters.

At a bar, the camera begins to focus on Felicite, sitting among the patrons and then emerging to sing. She is a strong character, forceful and assertive, not always sympathetic, sometimes exasperating for an audience which makes it sometimes difficult to feel for and with her.

The film details her daily life, at home, the separation from her husband who is angry at her and rebukes her about her son being a thug, the boy himself being injured in an accident and finding himself in hospital and serious financial needs for his recovery.
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The other main character in the film, Tabu, is a local friend, offering to mend Felicite’s bung refrigerator, which becomes something of a principal episode in the film, Tabu not always being able to fix it properly. And a friendship grows between the two.

Much of the film involves Felicite’s trying to raise money for her son, from her singing, in the bar, Tabu making a collection, even going to a wealthy man and imposing on him.

There is very little explanation about the son and, on release from hospital, he is not particularly communicative until he goes into the city, on his crutches, encouraged by Tabu who is able to bring him to life.

The film is important for those interested in African cinema, its representations of life in the early decades of the 21st century, memories of past traditions, and nation involved in civil war, poverty and survival…

1. The title? Her name? The French and happiness?

2. International co-production, locations in Kinshasa, Congo, in Senegal? The music? Belgian finance? The director from Senegal?

3. Locations, Kinshasa, the city centre, modern, the townships, the outskirts, poor and rough? The musical score, the songs, popular, performance, response? The classical choir? The insertion of the choir into the film? The orchestra?

4. Introduction, Felicite among the people, sitting, the camera on her, the bar, the drinks, her songs, people giving money, at home, the fridge broken, Tabu and his coming to fix it? Her comments about money, the motor, the fan? The news about Samo, hurrying to the hospital, dominating and domineering, not thanking anyone, unlikable in herself? Pushing people around, the hospital staff, money issues, the discussion with the doctor, the woman stealing the money and the prescription? Tabu and his organising a collection amongst friends? Going to see the wealthy man, pressure of the gate, her tantrum? Discovering Samo’s amputation, her reaction? Becoming quiet, reclusive, taking down her hairpieces, alone, dreams and dream-like experiences, in the water, the zebra, Samo coming alive, Tabu and his friendship, able to bring Samo to some activity? Felicite continuing to sing, the fridge being fixed, going to Tabu, the zebra image?

5. Tabu, big, drinking, brawling, liking Felicite, the fridge, the motor and the fan, ultimate success? His company, liking felicity, carrying Samo from the hospital, the women, his interactions, helping Samo, drinking the beer, the end and Felicite’s approach?

6. Samo, no explanation about him, the accident, in hospital, quiet, the amputation, refusing to eat and drink, not talking, the beer and Tabu bringing him alive? His mother going to see his father, the father’s anger, condemning him as a thug? At home, the crutches and walking through the city?

7. The hospital, nurses, the doctor, money?

8. The boss, the doorkeeper, his assistant, Felicite and her tantrum, her being manhandled, the boss giving the money, warning?

9. The club, the clientele, drinking, music, brawling?

10. The orchestra and the choir? The pace and change of mood with the choir music?

11. Life in Kinshasa, Paul, homes, music, both popular and classic, dreams and hopes?