Stop Filming Us But Listen

Summary: A re-edited version of Joris Postema's Stop Filming Us, Vivuya and Twahirwa's film takes a closer look at the imbalance of power inherited from colonialism and its consequences on the representation of the DRC, cinematic and otherwise. The idea to produce this new version arose from discussions within Postema's film about whether a Western director is capable of capturing an image and narrative of the DRC shared by its citizens. It was then suggested that local directors work with the same footage to determine if a different story could be told from the same material to convey a local perspective. Re-editing the footage, they have made a version that better reflects their perspective and does justice to their own experiences. The resulting film contextualizes the project within the history of Western cinematic representations of the Congo, and highlights the inherent power discrepancies on either side of the camera. Featuring candid conversations with filmmakers, artists, scholars, and community members, STOP FILMING US BUT LISTEN seeks to subvert colonialist narratives familiar in the West and chart a new path for cinematic self-representation.