A celebration of the new sounds of a continent. 5: Zaire
Kinshasa is the birthplace of Soukous, the most popular and influential music in Africa. An astonishing wealth of musical talent sustains more than 300 bands in the city, and their music thunders out over the rooftops 24 hours a day in a non-stop carnival atmosphere. Kinshasa is also the home of the Sapeurs, musicians who have elevated a love of high fashion into a religion; and of 'political animation', a new form of traditional African praise song, created by President Mobutu to sustain the cultural revolution which he calls 'authenticity'. Among the 20 bands in this film are those of Franco,
Papa Wemba , Ray Lema and the giant/dwarf double act of Empire Bakuba.
Film editor STEPHEN EVANS
Executive producer DENNIS MARKS Producer MICHAEL MACINTYRE