RWAGASORE – VIE, COMBAT, ESPOIR

Credits

Name: RWAGASORE – VIE, COMBAT, ESPOIR

Country: Burundi

Year of publication: 2012

Format: Digital

Color: color

Language : OF m. engl. UT

Duration: 96 Minuten

Direction: Citagoye, Justine; Capitolin, Pascal

Camera: Musaba, Abraham; Harerimana, Jean-Pierre

Editing: Talneau, Stephan

Sound: Sindayigaya, Hervé

Actor: Rugero, Roland

Guest: de Witte, Ludo

Abstract

In 2012, Burundi celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence. The film recalls a politician who was intricately connected with the anti-colonial struggle for liberation: Prince Louis Rwagasore. Burundi first suffered under German, then under Belgian colonial rule, and today in Burundi Rwagasore is considered a hero. Yet outside the country, he is virtually unknown. He won the first free elections in Burundi in 1961, and became its first prime minister. In his role, he suffered the same fate as the internationally known politician Patrice Lumumba in neighbouring Congo. Both pursued the vision of an economically independent Africa and both were assassinated for it, at the hands of the Belgians, shortly into their terms as prime minister. The documentary uses historical photos and recordings to document these events.