Filmmaker Alain Kassanda faces a classic conundrum: residing in France as an African immigrant, he's perceived as African by his Parisian neighbors and French by his family and friends back home. This dual identity is a common experience among many immigrants. His maternal grandfather, Justin, has an extraordinary story to share. Justin was an elected official and minister during Congo's transition from colony to an independent nation.
Meanwhile, his grandmother, Colette, holds numerous stories about her upbringing within the colonial school system and her experiences as a woman under colonial rule. Alain, armed with archival footage and tremendous patience, manages to elicit a series of captivating and revealing interviews from his grandfather, shedding light on the rise and fall of the Lumumba presidency. While the film does incorporate some graphic footage Alain's primary focus remains on the everyday lives, social customs, and economic realities.
Colette and Justin is a fascinating documentary that is primarily tailored for those with a basic understanding of Congo's history, but it also offers valuable insights for viewers lacking such knowledge. Through Alain's conversations with his grandparents, Colette and Justin provides a glimpse into one of the oldest methods of passing down knowledge: the elders sharing their stories with the younger generation. Occasionally, Alain and Justin clash when their perceptions of the era differ from Justin's firsthand experiences.
Despite the discomfort of ideological differences, Alain excels in giving his grandparents the platform to provide a voice for a small yet immensely significant group of people. This stands in stark contrast to the oversimplified depictions used by both Colonial Dutch interests and revolutionary African leftists. Those seeking content to educate students about the decolonization process in Africa, the history of the Congo, or class and politics will find Colette and Justin incredibly useful in the classroom. Highly Recommended.
Where does this documentary belong on public library shelves?
Colette and Justin would fit best among history titles, but it would also fit in political and sociological collections.
What kind of film series could use this title?
Any film series looking at decolonization or relationships between generations would find Colette and Justin useful.