EXCLUSIVE: Pathé Touch Afrique has acquired pan-African rights on historical thriller Rumba Royale, starring Congolese superstar Fally Ipupa, and set a December 12 release date.
The eagerly awaited movie marks the big screen debut for Ipupa, who is known as the “Prince of Rumba” by his fans for his viral performances of Congolese rumba. He is joined in the cast by Mélanie Bokata, Cécile Djunga, Olivier Loustau, Hénoc Kyombo and Patrick Kabundi.
“I’m convinced that audiences will love this film in Congo and beyond. I think they’ll be surprised in a good way, and I hope my position in Congo and internationally will attract people to this film,” said Ipupa.
“It’s one of the two or three biggest projects made in Congo—maybe not in terms of budget, but in terms of ambition, and a lot of people have worked here. We had a vision, we knew what we wanted to present and the story we wanted to tell, so we’re confident this project will resonate with a wide audience.”
Pan-African film production and distribution company Pathé Touch Afrique (formerly Pathé BC Afrique) plans to release the movie wide across Africa, into French, English and Portuguese-speaking territories. The company is also planning special screenings in Europe and the U.S.
Set in the Democratic Republic of Congo before it achieved independence from Belgium in 1960, the thriller is interwoven with Congolese rumba music and the political struggle in the backdrop.
The movie is directed by Yohane Dean Lengol and Hamed Mobasser, who also produces with Kevin Dwyer at Rodeo Chameleon Productions. Further producers include Marie G Sambay, Eric Mukuna, Eric Kasongo (Emotive Productions), et Emmanuel Lupia (Tosala Films), Alain Ilunga Tshovo (1986 Corp.), et Ronny Law (Ronny Law Productions). Pathé Touch Afrique also co-produces.
The release marks the biggest distribution operation for Pathé Touch Afrique since its rebranding and the arrival of Sébastien Onomo at the helm last December, replacing co-founders Wassim Béji and Jean-François Camilleri.
Under the new partnership Onomo invested in the company, spearheaded by French mini-major Pathé, via his SO Medias Invest fund. Onomo, who is also CEO of Special Touch Studios, is building a slate of mainly projects with mainly French-speaking African talents.
Lengol and Mobasser describe the film as a love letter to the Congo, Congolese rumba, and African cinema.
“We have always believed that these local stories could reach a universal audience. It is this conviction that has allowed us to overcome every challenge we encountered. Everyone involved in this project has given far more than we could have expected, with incredible passion and generosity,” they said.