The first feature film by Belgian-Congolese musician and actor Baloji, named "Augure" ('Omen'), has won the New Voice prize in the Un Certain Regard side section at the Cannes Film Festival, the Wallonie Bruxelles Images agency announced on Friday.
After two short films and a role in 'Binti' (by Frederike Migom), Baloji put himself behind the camera for 'Augure,' a film about a man who has to leave a Congolese village because he is believed to be a magician. When he returns with his wife, he has to deal with the people who consider him an outsider.
"I am very proud and honoured by this selection, which looks like a victory given my track record," Baloji told Wallonie-Bruxelles Images. "I also think about my country of origin and what visibility at Cannes means for the cinematic creation of the largest French-speaking country in the world. I also think this will inspire others."
'Augure' was shot between Belgium and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the cast includes Belgians Marc Zinga and Lucie Debay, as well as Eliane Umuhire and Yves-Marina Gnahoua. The film was enthusiastically received at its screening last Monday, with a long standing ovation.
The film is produced by Wrong Men, with the support of the Centre du Cinéma de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, New Dawn, screen.brussels, the Belgian Federal Government's Tax Shelter and in co-production with RTBF, Proximus and VOO & BeTv.
In Belgium, Baloji is best known as a rapper. 20 years ago, he appeared on stage as MC Balo with Liège rap group Starflam. Afterwards, he went solo.
