The Rumba Kings The Rumba Kings

Alan Brain / USA, Peru / 2021 / 94 min

In the 1950s, when the Democratic Republic of the Congo was under Belgian rule, a generation of Congolese musicians decided to fight against colonial oppression with music. They fused traditional African rhythms with Afro-Cuban sounds, thus creating a new style – Congolese rumba, which soon conquered the entire African continent with its infectious groove, captivating guitar licks, and smooth vocals. The Rumba Kings documentary is a joyful celebration of the liberating power of music.

featuring Papa Wemba, Manu Dibango, Simaro Lutumba, Papa Noel, Pépé Felly Manuaku, Verckys, Roitelet, Guvano, Paul Mwanga, Brazzos, Manda Tchebwa, Clément Ossinonde, Jean-Pierre Nimy, Lubangi Muniania

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What's On

A Poet Un poeta

Simón Mesa Soto

Thursday, 12. 03. 2026 / 17:50 / Main Hall

A film that captures the poetic reality of a neurotic poet, skilfully blending cringe comedy with an emotionally resonant story of lost and rediscovered hope. A singular work with an unforgettable central character.

Fiume o morte! Fiume o morte!

Igor Bezinović

Thursday, 12. 03. 2026 / 19:15 / Small Hall

On 12 September 1919, a troop of some three hundred soldiers under the leadership of the flamboyant war-loving Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio swooped into the Northern-Adriatic port town of Fiume, now Rijeka, wanting to annex the city to Italy. Over the course of the next 16 months, during what is regarded as one of the most bizarre militant sieges of all time his official photography team captured over 10,000 images. A century later, Igor Bezinović orchestrates a direct-action history lesson focused on the siege and its modern-day implications.

Documentary Film Festival

Ellis Park Ellis Park

Justin Kurzel

Thursday, 12. 03. 2026 / 20:30 / Main Hall