"Omen" is the debut movie from Baloji, a Belgian rapper and filmmaker who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
"Omen" is the debut movie from Baloji, a Belgian rapper and filmmaker who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Wrong Men
The movie starts with Koffi (played by Marc Zinga, left) returning to the DRC from Belgium with his pregnant White fiancé Alice (Lucie Debay, right). But when there's an accident, Koffi is accused of sorcery.
The movie starts with Koffi (played by Marc Zinga, left) returning to the DRC from Belgium with his pregnant White fiancé Alice (Lucie Debay, right). But when there's an accident, Koffi is accused of sorcery.
Wrong Men
The film isn't autobiographical, but there are references to the director's life; the name Baloji means "sorcerer" or "demon" in Swahili. "I'm not a big fan of my name, but it is what it is," he said.
The film isn't autobiographical, but there are references to the director's life; the name Baloji means "sorcerer" or "demon" in Swahili. "I'm not a big fan of my name, but it is what it is," he said.
Wrong Men
The movie was shot for $1.2 million and filming in the DRC brought challenges. "Congo is a country that doesn't have a cinema culture," explained Baloji. "Movies made in Congo or Central Africa most of the time are documentaries, made by Europeans, criticizing the culture, criticizing something. People are very reluctant to be in front of a camera."
The movie was shot for $1.2 million and filming in the DRC brought challenges. "Congo is a country that doesn't have a cinema culture," explained Baloji. "Movies made in Congo or Central Africa most of the time are documentaries, made by Europeans, criticizing the culture, criticizing something. People are very reluctant to be in front of a camera."
Wrong Men
In one scene, the "Goonz" gang wear pink dresses to honor their leader's missing sister. "The kids didn't want to wear a pink dress. Their parents didn't want their kids wearing a pink dress. I had to show them a whole scene and explain to them it's a tribute to his sister, not about his sexual preference. Then they were on board," explained Baloji.
In one scene, the "Goonz" gang wear pink dresses to honor their leader's missing sister. "The kids didn't want to wear a pink dress. Their parents didn't want their kids wearing a pink dress. I had to show them a whole scene and explain to them it's a tribute to his sister, not about his sexual preference. Then they were on board," explained Baloji.
Wrong Men
"Omen" features elements of magical realism, including scenes underscored by brass bands and characters singing opera. "We mix carnival culture from Congo with New Orleans. I've been to New Orleans — every ceremony starts at a place called Congo Square, and all the material they're using is evoking Africa. I collide these two cultures, which is factually not true, but that's what I like about cinema," said the director.
"Omen" features elements of magical realism, including scenes underscored by brass bands and characters singing opera. "We mix carnival culture from Congo with New Orleans. I've been to New Orleans — every ceremony starts at a place called Congo Square, and all the material they're using is evoking Africa. I collide these two cultures, which is factually not true, but that's what I like about cinema," said the director.
Wrong Men
The film was submitted by Belgium for the Academy Award for best international feature. "To represent Belgium at the Oscars was something very special to me, because I'm coming from an immigrant past — an illegal past," said Baloji. "I received an order to leave the territory ... and I was just saved by somebody who accepted to take charge of the costs ... So to represent Belgium after all this time, it's a special feeling."
The film was submitted by Belgium for the Academy Award for best international feature. "To represent Belgium at the Oscars was something very special to me, because I'm coming from an immigrant past — an illegal past," said Baloji. "I received an order to leave the territory ... and I was just saved by somebody who accepted to take charge of the costs ... So to represent Belgium after all this time, it's a special feeling."
Wrong Men