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White Elephants, a Congo Trilogy

– by Kristof Bilsen

    1. Nonfiction

    2. Date Awarded: Summer 2011

    3. Directors(s): Kristof Bilsen

    1. Producer(s): Mike Lerner

    2. Company Credit: Roast Beef Productions

    3. Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo

    1. Film Status: In Production

    2. URL: » White Elephants page

About the Film:

White Elephants tells the story of a group of public sector workers who live in the third largest city in Africa, Kinshasa, DR Congo, where the weight of history has not stopped them from pursuing hopes and dreams. This film takes us beyond the usual reports of the Congo, to provide poetic and compassionate insight into a former colony in transition, as seen through the microcosm of three state-owned institutions. At times surreal, at times hopeful, this film will reveal a truly surprising perspective on lives lived beyond chaos.

About the Filmmakers:

Kristof Bilsen (Director) completed a filmmaking BA in Brussels (2002) and then worked as a cinematographer, editor and director in contemporary theatre and dance, where he collaborated with Peter Missotten, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Meg Stuart, amongst other artists and also co-directed several plays and dance performances for youngsters. His first documentary Three Women, a film about female detainees in Ghent prison, was shortlisted for the Henri Storck Prize in 2005 and shown twice on Belgian National Television. In January 2010, he was selected to attend a workshop tutored by Werner Herzog in Los Angeles. He then studied at the prestigious National Film and Television School (UK) where he graduated with top marks doing his Masters in Documentary Direction. His previous work includes: Three Women (Nominated Henri Storck Awards, Belgium), Parallel Lives and The Perfect Belgian (One World Romania Best of Fest) and the short film White Elephant. Mike Lerner (Producer) has produced films in many countries from the Middle East to South America and from Central Asia to the Far East. He produced the feature documentaries Afghan Star, winner of an Audience and Directing Award at Sundance 2009 and Hell and Back Again, which won World Cinema Grand Jury Award and Cinematography Award at Sundance 2011. Mike has spent 20 years producing highly acclaimed, high-rating documentaries for BBC, Channel 4, FIVE and Discovery – blockbuster biographies include Picasso, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Toulouse Lautrec, and The Sistine Chapel – architecture projects include Supercities and The Stirling Prize – and travel documentaries include Beijing Swings, Turkmenistan – The Happy Dictator and The Muslim World – Paradise Found.