Mobutu Sese Seko

Showcasing the best in international documentaries, Storyville has developed an enviable reputation since its inception more than a decade ago. Screening over 340 films, from some 70 different countries, the strand has garnered a staggering array of awards: five Oscars, 15 Griersons, three Peabodys and two International Emmys. In true, unique, Storyville style, the new series promises to deliver the strand's usual eclectic mix of compelling stories from across the globe.

Ricostruzione dell'incontro di boxe, valevole per il titolo mondiale dei pesi massimi, tra i pugili neri Mohammed Alì, già Cassius Clay, e George Foreman a Kinshasa (Zaire) il 30 ottobre 1974. Al materiale filmato da Gast nel 1974 a Kinshasa s'aggiungono le interviste allo scrittore Norman Mailer, ai giornalisti Georges Plimpton e Thomas Hauser e al regista Spike Lee che vent'anni dopo commentano l'avvenimento. Più che sul Mohammed Alì della realtà, è un film sul mito, sulla leggenda, sul significato simbolico, sociale e politico di Alì e della sua vittoria sul nero Foreman che paradossalmente nel 1974 incarnò l'odiato zio Sam, quell'America dei padroni bianchi che avevano ridotto i neri a loro immagine e somiglianza.

The history of decolonization from the point of view of colonized peoples, an epic story that still resonates and reverberates to this day.

Mobuto Sese Seko has left his mark on the destiny of post-independence Congo. With western support and a skilful orchestration of political alliances, he ruled over the Congo for 32 years during which he plundered the country's resources for his own personal gain and brutally repressed his own people. This four-part documentary tells the story of the rise and fall of a dictator.

In Congo during the revolution, an Italian journalist is in love with the wife of a Belgian businessman.

Universally accepted as a true icon of the 20th century, Muhammad Ali’s phenomenal achievements spanned sport, politics and religion. One man – photographer William Klein had comprehensive access to the events that shaped Ali’s legend. In 1964, the young gregarious Cassius Clay successfully defeated the seemingly invincible Heavyweight Champion of the World Sonny Liston – the manner of Clay’s victory and his amazing persona made him an instant superstar. Through this incredible period, and Clay’s subsequent rematches with Liston, William Klein enjoyed unrivalled access top Clay’s camp – witnessing at first hand Cassius Clay becoming Muhammad Ali and angering the American people with his allegiance to Islam. Forward to Zaire 1974, and the return of Muhammad Ali to the world stage to face another invincible champion George Foreman. As Ali reclaimed the crown for a second time, Klein was ever present, capturing the full story at close quarter.

How African artists have spread African culture all over the world, especially music, since the harsh years of decolonization, trying to offer a nicer portrait of this amazing continent, historically known for tragic subjects, such as slavery, famine, war and political chaos.

This film is the result of more than two years of work tracking down archive material and witnesses close to Mobutu in Africa, Europe and the U.S. More than 950 hours of footage have been seen by the world. Among the 104 hours selected as the basis for this film, are 30 hours of archives recently discovered in Kinshasa and never before released. Completing these exceptional documents, are more than 50 hours of interviews with those close to the former president and the events surrounding his reign, conducted by the director in Kinshasa, Brussels, Paris and Washington. Like a vast historical puzzle, this film pieces together the tragic history of a country, and its self-styled leader - the dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko, "King of Zaïre".