Tongo Saa (Rising up at Night)

Kinshasa in darkness. Its 17 million inhabitants are waiting for the return of electricity. The camera is cautiously placed near light sources, though we seem to hear more than we see. People gather around battery-powered lights in the streets, marketplaces, living rooms, and shops. Life without electricity and light has become quite normal in the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Improvisation, resilience, disappointment, and faith can be found in nearly every scene. Director Nelson Makengo sheds light on the desperation, hope, and beauty of the people, even in the darkness. (Sarah Adam)