- “Blood Diamond” (2006): Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou, this film takes place during the Sierra Leone Civil War but also explores the illegal diamond trade that directly affects neighbouring countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- “The Siege of Jadotville” (2016): Based on true events, this movie tells the story of Irish UN troops during the Congo Crisis in 1961. It portrays the intense battle between Irish soldiers and Katangese forces in the town of Jadotville.
- “Congo” (1995): Based on Michael Crichton’s novel, this adventure film is set in the African rainforest. While it’s not specifically set in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it includes elements of Congolese culture and wildlife.
- “The Constant Gardener” (2005): Although primarily set in Kenya, this political thriller also delves into the issue of illegal drug testing and corporate exploitation in other African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- “Virunga” (2014): While not a traditional narrative film, “Virunga” is a powerful documentary that sheds light on the struggle to protect the Virunga National Park in Eastern Congo, featuring rangers working to save endangered wildlife amidst civil unrest and the presence of armed militias.
- “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad: While not set exclusively in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this classic novella follows the journey of Charles Marlow as he travels up the Congo River, delving into themes of imperialism and the dark human psyche. It has long framed the image of DR Congo as an inherently unstable society. “Heart of Darkness”, published in 1902, is more accurately a tale of man and mania.
- “Congo: The Epic History of a People” by David Van Reybrouck: This book provides an extensive historical account of Congo, covering the avarice and brutality of King Leopold II of Belgium, the Belgian colonial rule, the chaos after independence, the kleptocracy of Mobutu Sese Seko, and the wars that followed. What sets it apart is the inclusion of Congolese voices.
- “King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa” by Adam Hochschild: Although not a fictional novel, it provides a gripping account of the atrocities committed under Belgium’s King Leopold II’s colonial rule in the Congo Free State during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It recounts the brutalities inflicted on the Congolese people in the pursuit of rubber, and highlights how Belgium ignored these atrocities for a long time.
- “The Lumumba Plot” by Stuart Reid: This book explores the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the former prime minister of post-independence Congo. It reveals the roles played by Belgium, the United States, and Congolese opponents in Lumumba’s death, raising questions about how Congo’s history might have been different without outside interference.
- “In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz: Living on the Brink of Disaster in the Congo” by Michela Wrong: Written by a foreign correspondent, this book intertwines the author’s experiences in Congo with a history of Mobutu’s regime. It showcases how foreign involvement often enables Congolese abuses and brings out the darkly comedic aspects of Mobutu’s reign.
- “The War That Doesn’t Say Its Name” by Jason Stearns: This book documents the wars that have plagued Congo since the fall of Mobutu. It provides a detailed account of the first and second Congo wars and explains the ongoing conflicts in the east. The author dispels the notion that the violence in Congo is inherent and instead explores the rational self-interest and influence of outsiders.
- “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver: This critically acclaimed novel follows the Price family, American missionaries who move to the Congo in the late 1950s. It explores the colonised nation’s political turmoil and the effect it has on the family’s relationships and individual perspectives.
- “Broken Glass” by Alain Mabanckou: This novel tells the story of a Congolese teacher, Broken Glass, who is obsessed with leaving his mark on society. Set in Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo, it reflects on the country’s post-colonial period and the challenges faced by its people.
- “Tram 83” by Fiston Mwanza Mujila: While primarily set in a fictional city inspired by Lubumbashi, Congo, this debut novel vividly portrays the chaos and resilience of a war-torn African nation. It brings to life the realities of a Congolese mining town and explores the lives of its diverse characters, delving into the mining industry’s significance in Congo’s history and present. It provides a unique perspective on the experiences of miners and captures the complexities surrounding the exploitation of mineral resources.
WANDERLIST: DR Congo in books and on film
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