Congo Boy
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International promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Rafiki Fariala |
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| Cinematography | Adrien Lallau |
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Running time | 95 minutes |
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Congo Boy is a 2026 musical drama directed by Rafiki Fariala, co-written with Tommy Baron and Boris Lojkine. Fariala co-wrote wrote the music with Lillo Morealle. It stars Bradley Fioma Dembeasset, Christy Djomanda Louba, Pétruche Mbomba, Rosiana Kotozia and Gloria Ambacko.
The film had its world premiere at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 15 May,[1] where Dembeasset won the section's Best Actor prize.[2]
Premise
Set in Bangui, Central African Republic, the coming-of-age story follows Albert, a 17-year-old Congolese whose family are displaced by war in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. With both his parents in prison for falsifying their passports, Albert struggles to balance caring for his younger siblings, keeping up with school, and pursuing a budding musical career as a rap artist. [3][4]
Cast
- Bradley Fioma Dembeasset as Robert[5]
- Christy Djomanda Louba as Espérance
- Pétruche Mbomba as Daniel
- Rosiana Kotozia as Aurélie
- Gloria Ambacko as Jacqueline
- Dieufera Sana as César
Production
Congo Boy follows writer-director Rafiki Fariala's debut documentary We Students! (2022), which became the first feature from the Central African Republic to screen at the Berlin International Film Festival. The project was unveiled at the Atlas Workshops of the Marrakech International Film Festival, where it was presented as part of its development slate.[6]
Congo Boy is a co-production between companies from the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and France. It is produced by Vicky Nelson Wackoro for Makongo Films, with co-producers Dieudo Hamadi for Kiripi Films and Caroline Nataf for Unité.[6]
Release
Congo Boy had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on 15 May. It was one of three African films in the festival's official section.[7]
References
- ^ "The Screenings Guide of the 79th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. 7 May 2026. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ^ Ross, Rafa Sales (22 May 2026). "Sandra Wollner's 'Everytime' Wins Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes". Variety. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ Klashorst, Marc van de (15 May 2026). "Cannes 2026 review: Congo Boy (Rafiki Fariala)". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ ""CONGO BOY": Rafiki Fariala, an alumnus of Ateliers Varan, selected for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival - Ateliers Varan". www.ateliersvaran.com. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ^ "CONGO BOY". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ^ a b Hopewell, John; Keslassy, Elsa (16 November 2022). "'We Students!' Rafiki Fariala Preps Marrakech Buzz Project 'Congo Boy' with Makongo, Kiripi, Unité (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- ^ Lasisi, Seyi (15 April 2026). "Three African Titles Selected for 2026 Cannes Un Certain Regard". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 8 May 2026.