Elephant's Dream

Ever since gaining independence from Belgium in 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been in a state of conflict—from the chaos of its early years as a free state, to the brutality of the years under dictator Mobutu Sese Seko (when the country was called Zaire), to the civil wars and internal struggles of the post-Mobutu era. Here, British-Belgian filmmaker Kristof Bilsen looks at today's Congo as seen through the seemingly quotidian lives of civil servants in the capital of Kinshasa, focusing in particular on the daily duties of a post office worker (it's rather amazing that the nation maintains a functioning postal service despite its endless problems), a pair of railway workers at a near-deserted train station, and a group of firefighters in Kinshasa's only fire station. These individuals continue with their work despite highly irregular payroll practices (prolonged unpaid wages is not uncommon), lack of central government support, and technological tools that could charitably be described as woefully outdated. Their continuing dedication amidst the absence of a coherently functioning state could be seen as a dark comedy or a tribute to a patriotic spirit aimed at a government that is not worthy of such respect. Either way, this documentary offers a unique perspective on the Congolese miasma. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)