Benda Bilili

Benda Bilili

I am off to Israel this weekend and wanted one more film under my belt before I go into withdrawal for a week. This film has been playing at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. I didn’t know much about it but I have always stated that if it plays at that venue it is a prize film. Indeed it was.
Benda Bilili is the leader of a group of musicians in the Congo. Many have had polio and most are in a type of wheel chair or moveable vehicle. They perform on the street and practice in a dusty lot near the local zoo.
Benda plays the guitar and sings. Other instruments are crude but produce magnificent music. One instrument is old milk can with strings. It was amazing to hear the rich quality of the music. Percussion was provided by tapping on a half filled bottle of water. We learn much about the living standards in this part of the Congo. Many of the young kids steal anything in sight. Smoking and drinking are common place.
In the midst of all this poverty this outstanding musical group plays music, sings and dances. The songs are about their life style. They sing about sleeping on cardboard boxes and being poor. Many do not have the full use of their legs and they get on the ground and are able to move around in a break dance type of action.
The filmmaker is amazed with the quality of their music and arranges for them to record. A trip to France and other European countries follows. It is amazing how they were able to travel in their condition. The group has become a world wide phenomenon.
The concerts were big hits. The turnout was tremendous and the audience loved it all.
This is a remarkable group.
Documentaries allow us to learn about extraordinary people.
The film has already played for several weeks so do plan to see it as soon as possible. It is uplifting to see how this ‘raggle taggle’ group was able to accomplish so much. It also gives an insight into the dreadful living conditions of the people living there.