Rising up at Night

Part of DR Congo’s capital is in darkness. A lengthy power outage only augments problems in Kinshasa, a city of 17 million – local river flooding, poor infrastructure, and violence. Darkness shrouds the streets and prospects for the future.

Community spirit and cooperation become even more important. People face adversity together. Despite nighttime dangers, they come together at the gym, in neighbourhood disputes about stolen cables, and to pray. Almost the entire film is set at night. People are lit only by the lights they use – solar pocket lights, torches, and fire. The play of light and shadow is a visual metaphor illustrating the reality of daily life without electricity.