Mulika
An 'afronaut' emerges from the wreckage of a spaceship in the volcanic crater of Mount Nyiragongo. As he descends into the city below, encountering the people of present-day Goma, he begins to understand what he must do to change the future for his people.
Interview with Writer/Director Maisha Maene and Producer Leo Nelki
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made this film because I wanted to imagine a future for my country and create a way to escape the exploitation of the present day by connecting with our cultures and our ancestors.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
To travel in the Afrofuturist universe of the history of Congo and the East of the country in particular and understand another look at the history of Congo.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This film talks about a particular history and reality of Congo related to the mining exploitation of the East of the country, my native region; a story which is at the same time connected to the universal reality of the new technology and its effects.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
During the writing, I spend a lot of time researching the subject and developing an appropriate aesthetic on the approach and the theme of the film which is Africanfuturism. I was inspired by the artist collective Kongo Astronauts in Kinshasa during the creation of the costume. The filming stage was a moment of putting the idea into practice but also a moment of reacting to our environment. The volcano, Mount Nyiragongo, on the outskirts of my city of Goma erupted and lava flowed into the city. We used this new lavaflow as part of the film, allowing the character to walk through an alien landscape and directly into the city.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback I have received is positive and above all based on the sensitivity of the story and the theme of exploitation. People in my city were happy to see Goma represented in a different way.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
For me the film was a way to speak about the history of my region and at the same time create a debate on this theme which expresses a part of me which is connected at the same time to universality. So managing to reach all these audiences and creating a debate is an important element of the purpose of making this film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Having my film on this platform is a contribution to the visibility of this topic and this important message on my society and the global audience.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We are looking for buyers, film festival directors, but perhaps most of all journalists to amplify this film’s message.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like to deepen the discussion regarding mineral exploitation in my country, and I would like to encourage more films to be made which challenge existing narratives of Congo and create more optimistic images for our region.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Who does Mulika represent?
Interview: December 2022
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Mulika
An 'afronaut' emerges from the wreckage of a spaceship in the volcanic crater of Mount Nyiragongo. As he descends into the city below, encountering the people of present-day Goma, he begins to understand what he must do to change the future for his people.
Length: 14:00
Director: Maisha Maene
Producer: Leo Nelki
Writer: Maisha Maene
About the writer, director and producer:
MAISHA MAENE is a Congolese screenwriter and director based in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. As an Afrofuturist artist, he works on issues of human rights and the environment, and seeks to reconstruct the fragmented history of his country. As well as various collaborative projects, Maisha has written and directed three short films: ‘REGARD,’ ‘MOTHER NATURE,’ and ‘APA’.
Liverpool-based director, editor and producer, LEO NELKI is currently in production on his debut film, a feature documentary titled ‘Sunday in Japan’ (produced by Moon Road Films).
Key cast: Sefu Weber-kal (Mulika), Faustin Biyoga (Tate), Ibrahim Twaha (Safari), Sarah Bahati (Zawadi)
Looking for: journalists and film festival directors
Facebook: Maisha Maene
Instagram: @maisha_maene
Hashtags used: #mulikafilm #africanfuturism
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: Trust Merchant Bank, Terry Duffy Art Foundation, BADA
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Sundance/ Utah, USA - January 23rd, 24th, 26th and 28th
Clermont Ferrand Short Film Festival/ France - January 29th, February 3rd
London Short Film Festival/ UK - January 23rd