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On the Rumba River
First Run Features

On the Rumba River reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 61 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
N/A out of 10
based on 5 reviews
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MPAA RATING: Not Rated

Starring Wendo Kolosoy

Travelling up and down the majestic river Congo river on a disheveled boat, the young orphan Antoine Kolosoy composed his first songs on a beat up old guitar. As he gained renown, he became known as “Wendo,”. In the 1960s, his songs expressed the hopes of a newly independent nation, when all dreams seemed like they could become reality. As the country suffered for nearly three decades under the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, his music remained as a manifestation of the joyous spirit of the Congolese people that could not be taken away. Rediscovered several years ago after having been reduced to beggarhood, Wendo made a comeback under the new regime in 1997. Featuring stunning images and unforgettable music and interviews, “On the Rumba River” is a musical tribute to the Congolese people, who despite desperate poverty, a history of oppression and an ongoing civil war that has killed nearly 4 million people, continue to be sustained by music. (First Run Features)


GENRE(S): Documentary  
DIRECTED BY: Jacques Sarasin  
RELEASE DATE: DVD: October 21, 2008 
Theatrical: June 6, 2008 
RUNNING TIME: 82 minutes, Color 
ORIGIN: USA 
LANGUAGE(S): Lingala 

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

75
The Onion (A.V. Club) Noel Murray
Works best when it sticks to the musical performances, which Sarin films in lengthy scenes built from extreme close-ups of lips, fingers and sweaty skin.
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70
The New York Times Jeannette Catsoulis
You don't have to be a fan of African tunes to appreciate On the Rumba River, Jacques Sarasin's heartfelt ode to Congolese music and its resilient practitioners.
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63
TV Guide Maitland McDonagh
The film's great strength is its performance footage.
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50
Village Voice Julia Wallace
As a filmmaker, Sarasin has an extraordinarily light touch--a good thing for those who want to sit back and enjoy the music (the toe-tappingly spirited rendition of Wendo's biggest hit, "Marie-Louise," is a highlight), a bad thing for viewers unfamiliar with Congolese history and in need of a little context with their rumba.
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50
New York Post Lou Lumenick
Delightful music alternates with too-brief interviews with Wendo and his colleagues. On the Rumba River cries out for narration to help viewers understand the tragic context of his life.
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What Our Users Said

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