Congolese Filmmaker Machérie Ekwa Bahango Wins Venice Prize, Aims to Redefine Her Nation’s Story on Screen
Machérie Ekwa Bahango’s upcoming feature “Madi Makambu” took home the La Biennale di Venezia Prize at the Venice Film Festival’s Final Cut program. The film follows a young woman navigating an unexpected pregnancy and the fallout with her partner, exploring themes of violence and social injustice. Bahango says her work is driven by everyday life in Congo and aims to present her country as a great nation deserving to tell its own history, particularly through the voices of resilient women.
The recognition came from Venice's Final Cut program, which supports post-production for films from Africa and the Middle East. Her narrative follows a couple's rupture after a pregnancy she did not acknowledge reveals the child's paternity, forcing the female protagonist to confront her past.
A self-taught director, Bahango previously premiered 'Maki'la' at the Berlinale about street children. Her short 'Sema' involved working with women survivors of violence in eastern Congo, cementing her focus on female resilience. She cites scarce local funding and a lack of seriousness toward cinema, while international markets often expect a singular African film model.
This award could elevate Congolese cinema's visibility on the global stage, potentially attracting international co-producers and funding. It may also challenge monolithic Western perceptions of African filmmaking, encouraging broader distribution. For audiences, the film's focus on unacknowledged pregnancy and social injustice could spark dialogue about women's agency and resilience in post-conflict societies, while inspiring local filmmakers to pursue difficult subjects despite financial hurdles.