CONGO BOY
De / from :
Rafiki Fariala
Avec / with :
Bradley Fiomona Dembeasset — Robert, Christy Djomanda Louba — Espérance, Pétruche Mbomba — Daniel, Rosiana Kotozia — Aurélie, Gloria Ambacko — Jacqueline, Dieufera Sana — César
Durée en minutes / Runtime :
95
Genre :
Drama
Langue / Language :
French with English subtitles
Pays / Country :
Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Italy
Au Cinéma le / in theaters :
Date de sortie / Release date :
Cannes World Premiere: May 15th, 2026 / France theatrical release: 25 November 2026
Bangui, Central African Republic. 17-year-old Robert dreams of a career in music, but civil war is tearing the country apart. When both his parents are thrown into prison, he is left to look after his four younger siblings on his own, juggling daily life, odd jobs, school exams and concert stages, determined to follow his dream.
(Unifrance)
- “Congo Boy” succeeds because of Fariala’s emotional clarity, avoiding many pitfalls of the familiar rise-to-fame musical story. Anchored by its charismatic star, the film ends on an acute, genuinely moving note of hard-earned hope.”
‘Congo Boy’ Review: Poetry in the Chaos of War Displacement
- A film about resilience, “Congo Boy” delivers a deeply moving, very humanistic lens on war and the effect it has on youth. “Congo Boy” reminds audiences to be proud of who they are and transform hardship into motivation for a brighter future.”
From Cannes: ‘Congo Boy’ Subverts the Classic War Story | Arts | The Harvard Crimson
- “Fariala’s story is an emotionally compelling and beautifully human one that is bound to be a crowd pleaser.”
Congo Boy Review: Fariala’s Refugee Story is Full of Hope
- Festival de Cannes 2026 — Un Certain Regard (première mondiale)
- Festival de Sarajevo 2026 — Section Kinoscope
- Festival du Film Francophone d’Angoulême 2026 — Compétition officielle
Cannes 2026 — Best Actor (Un Certain Regard): Bradley Fiomona Dembeasset