Premiere night lights Pointe-Noire
The Rocher des Âges cultural centre filled to capacity on 27 December as cinema lovers queued under tropical drizzle, eager to discover Traque, the Vengeance of Patricia, a new shocker from Congolese director Barthel Panzou. Red carpet flashes and excited whispers set the tone.
Presented by Arts Programmes and École d’arts Magazine, the premiere felt momentous for Pointe-Noire, where audiences seldom enjoy national productions first. “It’s our own blockbuster, on our own screens,” smiled journalist Clarisse Okoua in the foyer while volunteers handed out locally branded popcorn.
Local outlets Les Dépêches de Brazzaville and Radio Pointe-Noire streamed live updates, underscoring anticipation (Les Dépêches, 28 December). For many first-time goers, the night restored confidence in home-grown creativity after months dominated by foreign superheroes.
Storyline mirrors social fears
Running 84 minutes, the film follows friends on a carefree excursion that spirals into terror when vengeful spirits punish reckless choices. Writer Harvin Isma blends psychological horror and moral allegory, turning youthful curiosity into a cautionary tale every spectator can decode.
Patricia, the female lead, embodies resilience amid abuse, a theme echoed by recent Ministry of Social Affairs data on gender violence. Director Panzou channels that reality into supernatural metaphor, keeping tension high without resorting to gratuitous gore.
Sound designer Axel Mabiala layers rustling leaves, distant drums and sudden silences, turning Congo’s lush forest into a claustrophobic maze. “Our soundtrack is a character,” he said afterwards, drawing applause from students of the National Institute of Arts present in the hall.
Local voices praise a rising industry
Sylvestre Didier Mavouenzela, president of the Pointe-Noire Chamber of Commerce, congratulated the crew, stressing that cinema must be treated as an industry. He pledged networking help with sponsors so the film can tour other departments and generate jobs for local technicians.
Herman Bergerac Mapaha, departmental director for Youth, called the feature “a mirror held to our decisions.” His office urged secondary schools to schedule educational showings in early 2024, citing its value against delinquency (Department communiqué, 29 December).
Viewers interviewed by Télé 50 praised the cast’s authenticity. “I recognised my classmates on that screen,” confessed nursing student Prisca Nzoungou, still trembling. Such identification, critics argue, is the secret weapon domestic cinema uses to compete with costlier global franchises.
Behind the camera: a bold young crew
Director Panzou, 32, honed his craft shooting music videos in Makélékélé before winning a short-film prize at the 2021 Kinshasa Festival. Traque is his first feature, filmed in eight weeks near Hinda with a nimble mix of DSLR and smartphone rigs.
The budget, around ten million CFA francs, came from small businesses, diaspora donors and a micro-grant from the French Institute. Cinematographer Prisca Dembi says limited funds encouraged ingenuity: “We used mirrors for moonlight and miners’ lamps to put fear in the eyes.”
Half the crew were women, an intentional choice. “Representation must start behind the lens,” Panzou insisted. Producer Marie-Louise Kimbembe believes inclusive sets foster safer storytelling about gender violence, a stance echoed by the Association of Congolese Female Filmmakers in a congratulatory statement.
Why the message resonates with youth
On social networks the hashtag #PatriciaRevenge trended across Congo-Brazzaville and the diaspora, according to Noki Analytics. Memes juxtaposing forest demons with classroom dilemmas flooded WhatsApp overnight, proving that word-of-mouth can travel faster than traditional trailers.
Media scholar Pastor Mbon told Radio Congo that horror opens difficult conversations. “When a spirit attacks on screen, we can debate alcohol abuse or peer pressure without pointing fingers,” he said, arguing the genre offers a safe allegorical distance for families.
Secondary-school teacher Julienne Loufoua plans to screen extracts during life-skills workshops. “My pupils jump at anything spooky,” she laughed. “If scare tactics spark dialogue about respect and responsibility, why not?” Education rules allow such material with parental consent.
Next steps for Congolese film ecosystem
Distributors Telluride Africa and Canal Olympia are negotiating a limited theatrical run in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire and Kinshasa from late January, once French and Lingala subtitles are finalised. Talks include outdoor screenings in districts lacking multiplexes, with post-show Q&As to connect actors and neighbourhood fans.
The team is also filming behind-the-scenes clips for TikTok and YouTube Shorts. “Fans want to see how we made blood from cassava syrup,” joked effects supervisor Kader Samba, hinting at tutorials that could inspire weekend filmmakers across the country. Viewers will also vote online for their favourite scare.
Government backing strengthens momentum
At national level, the Ministry of Culture recently renewed its cinema fund, allocating 300 million CFA francs for 2024 development grants. “Projects like Patricia prove the demand exists,” adviser Clémentine Ngoma told TV Congo, encouraging filmmakers to apply before the March deadline.
Audience applause hints at future
When the auditorium lights rose, applause lingered. Traque, the Vengeance of Patricia may lack Hollywood millions, yet its raw energy, moral urgency and unmistakable Congolese flavour signal a maturing industry ready to claim screens at home and abroad—one chilling scream at a time.
