BFI London Film Festival: Félicité

BFI Film Festival: 243 features. 67 countries. 15 cinemas. 12 days. One Festival.

The poetic sensibilities of Alain Gomis are brought to the fore in this 2017 Berlin Film Festival winner, as he weaves a compelling tale about a resilient woman in Kinshasa.

Félicité is the singer at a popular but dingy bar in the Congolese capital. Audiences flock to see her, enraptured by her soulful and sombre performances. When her son is involved in a terrible accident, Félicité must race to raise the money needed to pay for an urgent operation. But seeking help from spurned admirer Tabu might be a decision she will come to regret.

Actors Véro Tshanda Beya Mputu and Papi Mpaka brilliantly articulate the issues raised by Gomis's film, particularly of the harassment women experience in their everyday lives. The other star in this heartfelt drama is the music, performed with passion and verve by the fabulous Kasai Allstars who bring an additional level of compassion to this profoundly moving and rewarding film.

(Notes by Keith Shiri)

Félicité, dir. Alain Gomis, France-Senegal-Belgium-Germany-Lebanon 2017, 123 mins

The ICA Cinemas are completely ad-free. All films are 18+ unless otherwise stated.

Learn more about becoming an ICA Member.