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- Laurent Capelluto was born on 16 March 1971 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is an actor, known for Mr. Nobody (2009), Fils unique (2011) and The Clearstream Affair (2014).
- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
In the hallowed annals of thespian mastery, Emmanuel Kabongo stands as a paragon of the dramatic arts, weaving a tapestry of distinction that transcends the realms of stage and screen. Born amidst the tumultuous echoes of the Democratic Republic of Congo, fate's capricious hand led him to the sanctuary of South Africa, seeking refuge from the cacophony of civil strife. At the tender age of eleven, the Kabongo family, with Emmanuel as its venerable patriarch, sought solace and opportunity in the vast expanse of Canada's promising shores.
The eldest scion of a brood of six, Emmanuel's ascent to eminence did not unfold upon the proscenium of a conventional narrative. A familial constellation radiating excellence in athletics saw three siblings ascend to the zenith of Division One basketball, gracing arenas with the prowess of their physical prowess, including the venerable stages of the Canadian national team and the NBA. Yet, in a plot twist defying conventional expectations, Emmanuel, a scion of sagacity, forsook the siren call of sports stardom.
Within the hallowed halls of a Toronto college, he immersed himself in the contemplative realms of arts and theater, adroitly juggling his academic pursuits with a stint on the varsity basketball team. Though an athletic odyssey beckoned, the siren's call of the dramatic arts prevailed, prompting the eschewal of a lucrative basketball scholarship in favor of a thespian destiny.
Emmanuel, akin to a comet igniting the celestial stage, commenced his trajectory through the cinematic firmament. From the crucible of short films and student productions, he emerged, resplendent, with a lead guest star role in the television opus, "Breakout." Since that inaugural moment, his ascent has been meteoric, marked by recurring roles and guest appearances in an illustrious array of television series that include the likes of Outer Banks, Star Trek: Discovery, and NCIS: Hawai'i.
Yet, his luminosity extends beyond the small screen, gracing the celluloid canvas with supporting roles in cinematic gems like Wedding Disaster, Simulant, and the lauded Run This Town. As a producer, Emmanuel orchestrated and starred in the thriller Sway, curated the acclaimed web series Teenagers, and crafted compelling narratives in short films that garnered accolades on the global stage.
A maestro of the vocal arts, Kabongo lent his mellifluous cadence to narrate audiobooks, his voice resonating through literary realms in works like A Choice of Enemies, A Gazelle Ate My Homework, and Roughing it in The Bush.
Emmanuel Kabongo, a name etched in the firmament of thespian brilliance, has not been a stranger to the acclaim he so richly deserves. Nominated thrice for a Canadian Screen Award, his mantle proudly bears witness to an array of Best Actor laurels from prestigious festivals such as the Hollywood Gold Awards and the New York Movie Awards.
In 2017, he ascended to the pantheon of thespian luminaries, bestowed with the Rising Star Award at the Excellence Awards. The African Entertainment Awards in 2013 hailed him as the Best Actor, and 2015 saw the prestigious BravoFact grant bestowed upon him for his indomitable work in A Man's Story.
Emmanuel's journey has been a pilgrimage of knowledge, guided by the venerable hands of acting luminaries such as Earl Nanhu, Lindy Davies, and Tom Todoroff. Fluent in both French and English, he has not only enriched the world of entertainment but also exhibited his benevolence through a Christmas charity for the homeless, a testament to the Christian ethos that pervades his being.
As the curtain falls on this glimpse into the tapestry of Emmanuel Kabongo's life, one cannot help but marvel at the symphony of accomplishment and humility that defines this luminary. In the mosaic of his existence, Kabongo is not merely an actor; he is a virtuoso, an auteur, and a humanitarian, whose legacy reverberates through the corridors of artistic brilliance and philanthropic grace.- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Baloji was born on 12 September 1978 in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is a director and actor, known for Omen (2023), Zombies (2019) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018).- Merv Lukeba was born on 30 March 1990 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is an actor, known for Riviera (2017), A United Kingdom (2016) and Skins (2007).
- Michael Kibambi was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Michael is an actor, known for Éternel (2023), Mélanine (2022) and The Take (2024).
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Patrick Ridremont was born on 9 August 1967 in Léopoldville, Congo. He is an actor and writer, known for Dead Man Talking (2012), The Advent Calendar (2021) and The Triplets of Belleville (2003). He was previously married to Virginie Efira.- Writer
- Director
- Producer
Jean van de Velde was born on 14 March 1957 in Bukavu, Congo. He is a writer and director, known for Leak (2000), An Act of Defiance (2017) and The Silent Army (2008).- Hélène de Saint-Père was born on 7 March 1960 in Brazzaville, Congo. She was an actress, known for Le conte d'hiver (1989), El invierno en Lisboa (1991) and Il est plus facile pour un chameau... (2003). She died on 4 May 2022 in Brussels, Belgium.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Marc Zinga was born on 21 October 1984 in Likasi, Democratic Republic Of Congo. He is an actor and director, known for Spectre (2015), Mr. Nobody (2009) and The Mercy of the Jungle (2018).- Dyanik Zurakowska was born on 22 March 1947 in Elisabethville, Congo. She was an actress, known for Cauldron of Blood (1968), La llamada (1966) and The Destructors (1974). She died on 24 January 2011 in Malaga, Spain.
- Claudia Gravy was born on 12 May 1945 in Boma, Belgian Congo [now Democratic Republic of the Congo]. She is an actress, known for Le tigri di Mompracem (1970), La espuela (1976) and L'arma l'ora il movente (1972).
- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Sabine Lancelin was born on 22 December 1959 in Leopoldville, Belgian Congo [now Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo]. She is a cinematographer, known for Lonbraz Kann (2014), Our Madness (2018) and Agua (2006).- Music Artist
- Music Department
- Actor
Maître Gims was born on 6 May 1986 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is a music artist and actor, known for Ici tout commence (2020), La pièce (2016) and After Love (2016).- Chris Yamez is an Actor, Model, and Content Creator of African (Congolese) Descent. Based out of Canada. With 2 degrees under his belt in Both Graphic Design from the Alberta University of the arts and Software development from the Southern Alberta institute of technology, It can be said by no one that he isn't versatile.
Besides Acting, Chris Yamez is Talented Musician with an impressive 14+ Commercially released Songs in The R&B Genre. Surprisingly He began making music not as an R&B Artist but as An Orchestral Composer.
All in all, he is sure a name to remember. - Godeliv Van den Brandt is a trilingual and multi-cultured actress.
Born in Kasongo (Democratic Republic of Congo), she's the daughter of a Congolese mother and a Belgian father, Godeliv and family moved to Spain when she was 5.
After her first acting class with Susan Batson in New York, Godeliv decided to take her talent for acting seriously and a year after committing to acting, she made her film debut with the Spanish awarded feature film "Traces of Sandalwood", directed by Maria Ripoll (2014). The film won the "Best Film" award at the Gaudi Awards (2015) as well as the "Audience Award" at both Montreal Film Festival (2014) and Cinquest Film Festival in San Jose (2015) among other awards.
"Project Lazarus" (2015) has been Godeliv's latest work, a film wrote and directed by Mateo Gil, co-writer of Alejandro Amenabar's Oscar-winner "The Sea Inside" and director of Sam Shepard-starred "Blackthorn", in which she shares the screen with Tom Hugues, Oona Chaplin, Charlotte Le Bon and Barry Ward. The film would be released in 2016.
Her passion for the craft and her drive to learn and explore the different acting techniques led her to move to Los Angeles and train with several major acting teachers such as Jack Waltzer, Bill Alderson, Anthony Meindel among others.
A world traveler, trilingual in French, Spanish and Catalan, fluent in English and conversational both in Portuguese and Lingala. Godeliv was discovered as a model at the age of 16 and has worked for international brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce&Gabanna, Pronovias, United Colors of Benetton, Desigual, etc. A former volleyball national team player with a Bachelor in Business into Tourism by the Open University of Catalonia, she enjoys practicing yoga, rollerskating, contemporary dance, capoeira, snowboarding and almost any kind of sports. - Els Olaerts was born on 10 August 1957 in Coquilhatstad, Congo. She is an actress, known for F*** You Very, Very Much (2021), Blinker en de blixvaten (2008) and Blinker en het Bagbag-juweel (2000).
- Actor
- Producer
Dikembe Mutombo is a Congolese American retired professional basketball player. Mutombo played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Outside basketball, he has become well known for his humanitarian work.
The 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m), 260-pound (120 kg) center, who began his career with the Georgetown Hoyas, is regarded as one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players of all time, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times; he was also an eight-time All-Star. On January 10, 2007, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the second most prolific shot blocker in NBA history, behind only Hakeem Olajuwon. He averaged a double-double for most of his career, and is 12th all-time in career double-doubles, and tied for second all-time in career triple doubles involving points, rebounds and blocks.
At the conclusion of the 2009 NBA playoffs, Mutombo announced his retirement. On September 11, 2015, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
He is the oldest player in NBA history to collect over 20 rebounds in a game (40 years old, March 2, 2007 vs. Denver Nuggets).- Chancela Mongoza was born on 2 September 1994 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is an actor, known for Running on Sand (2023), Malkot (2018) and Temporarily Dead (2014).
- Actress
- Composer
- Producer
Patience Dabany was born on 22 January 1941 in Brazzaville, Congo. She is an actress and composer, known for Secret Agent OO Soul (1990).- Mobutu Sese Seko was born Joseph Mobutu in Lisala, Belgian Congo. His father was a cook, who died when Mobutu was a child, and his mother was a maid in a hotel. She used her earnings to send him to a Christian Brothers Catholic boarding school for his education. In 1949 he joined the Force Publique, an internal security force of Congolese troops but with Belgian officers, and rose to sergeant. He stayed there for seven years, leaving to become a newspaper reporter. It was in that position that he met Congolese nationalist Patrice Lumumba, and Mobutu was so taken with him that he joined Lumumba's political party, the Congolese National Movement (MNC).
When the Congo became independent on June 30, 1960, a coalition government led the country, with Lumumba as Prime Minister and Joseph Kasavubu as President. Mobutu was appointed Army Chief of Staff. Lumumba and Kasavubu then locked horns in a struggle for political supremacy, and on Sept. 14, 1960, a military coup overthrew Lumumba and installed Kasavubu as overall leader. One of the key figures in the coup was none other than Lumumba's old friend, Mobutu. It turned out that both the American CIA and the Belgian government mistrusted Lumumba, who they thought to be a Communist or at least pro-Communist, and wanted Kasavubu in power, as they believed--correctly, as it turned out--that Kasavubu and Mobutu would be more "pliable". Five years later, though, Mobutu led a coup against Kasavubu, who had just managed to oust his rival, popular Prime Minister Moise Tshombe. Upon taking power, Mobutu banned all political parties and declared the equivalent of a state of emergency, taking on almost dictatorial powers. He later formed his own party, the Popular Movement of the Revolution, which all Congolese were obliged to join. He ordered all existing trade unions to form a single union, the National Union of Zairian Workers, and placed it under the control of the government.
Although there were several uprisings and attempted coups, all were swiftly and brutally put down. In 1970 Mobutu held an election in which he was the only candidate and in which voting was mandatory. Not surprisingly, he got 99% of the vote. In 1971 he began a program of "cultural awareness" and renamed the country the Republic of Zaire. He ordered all Congolese with Christian names to drop them and change to African ones, baptism of children was outlawed and Western-style clothing and ties were banned. The next year he renamed himself Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Nbendu Wa Za Banga, although for convenience's sake he allowed others to refer to him as Mobutu Sese Seko. He also fostered a cult of personality in which his picture appeared everywhere, on everything from from postage stamps to the country's paper currency.
His erratic, corrupt and authoritarian rule resulted in several coup attempts and secessions. Mobutu's solution was to stage public executions of those who were real, potential or imagined threats to his regime, but he later found that it was much less trouble--and garnered much less bad publicity worldwide--if he just bought off his enemies, which he proceeded to do. He also nationalized foreign-owned firms and deported their European owners and managers. He handed the firms over to his family members and political allies, most of whom immediately robbed the companies blind, sold off their assets and kept the money. The resulting economic anarchy caused by these actions forced Mobutu in 1977 to bring the Europeans back. In that same year a force of several thousand rebels--followers of the executed Tshombe--invaded the province of Katanga from their bases in neighboring Angola. They were well-trained, motivated and led mainly by professional mercenaries from South Africa and Europe, and they swiftly and decisively routed Mobutu's ill-equipped, poorly trained, undisciplined and disorganized army. He appealed for aid from France, which airlifted several thousand Moroccan paratroopers who eventually defeated the Katangan rebels. However, a year later the rebels attacked again, but this time with more troops than before. Mobutu's ragtag army fared no better this time than it did the year before and was decisively defeated again, with many of its soldiers tearing off their uniforms, throwing away their weapons and fleeing naked into the jungles. Katanga, with its vast mineral, diamond and ore deposits, was on the verge of declaring its independence, and there was nothing Mobutu could do about it. Once more he appealed for international help against the "Communists". France and Belgium dispatched troops to put down the invasion, with the US supplying logistical and material help, and the invading forces were driven back across the border into Angola.
Despite these crises, Mobutu still had time to build up his personal wealth, which by 1984 was estimated to be at least $5 billion. While he amassed a fortune the country was going broke, and in 1989 it defaulted on loans from Belgium--Mobutu and his family and cronies having looted the country for years almost nonstop, the treasury simply ran out of money. This situation resulted in most roads, bridges and other elements of its infrastructure beginning to literally fall apart because there was no money to maintain them. Most government workers were paid sporadically if at all, resulting in tremendous inflation and a level of corruption that was mind-boggling even for Africa. The sheer scope of mismanagement, embezzlement and outright thievery by Mobutu and his cronies resulted in economists coining a new word for his form of government--kleptocracy. The cult of personality fostered by Mobutu and his government was pervasive; pictures and portraits of Mobutu were everywhere, government employees had to wear buttons with his photograph on them, and on TV broadcasts he was seen descending from the sky through clouds. He also awarded himself such titles as "Lion Warrior", "Savior of the Nation" and "Supreme Combatant".
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 did not bode well for Mobutu. He had always been able to count on support by Western governments, no matter how much they disliked his domestic policies. Because of the Congo's huge size. vast mineral wealth and strategic location, he was able to paint himself as a bulwark against "the Communist menace" in Africa, and the fact that his country held vast untapped reserves of gold, silver, diamonds, timber, etc., didn't hurt, either. However, now that the Soviet Union no longer existed, Mobutu's claim to be an anti-Communist bastion in the heart of Africa was irrelevant. Under pressure from western governments and because of economic problems and internal disturbances, Mobutu ended the ban on political parties and brought opposition figures into the government. Despite his attempt to co-opt the opposition by playing different factions against each other, however, the main opposition parties joined in one single organization in 1994, forcing him to appoint one of their members as his Prime Minister. In addition, Mobutu's health began to deteriorate, and he started to spend more time in Europe for medical treatment. In 1996 Tutsi rebels took advantage of one of his absences by launching a rebellion and taking control of the western half of the country. Other rebellions were launched from eastern Zaire, and in 1997 the combined rebel forces defeated Mobutu's army and took Kinshasa, the capital. Mobutu fled to neighboring Togo and then to Morocco, where he took permanent residence.
On Sept. 7, 1997, he died of prostate cancer in Rabat, Morocco. - Director
- Writer
- Producer
Olivier Smolders was born on 4 January 1956 in Léopoldville, Congo. He is a director and writer, known for Black Night (2005), Adoration (1987) and La part de l'ombre (2014).- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Myriam Uwiragiye Birara was born in 1992 in Masisi, Zaire [now Democratic Republic of the Congo]. She is a director and writer, known for The Bride (2023), Home (2021) and Mnemosyne (2020).- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Olivier De Sagazan was born in 1959 in Brazzaville, Congo. He is an actor and writer, known for Channel Zero (2016), Discarnate (2018) and O (5×1 Project) (2019).- Actor
- Writer
Eddie Kadi was born in 1983 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is an actor and writer, known for Anuvahood (2011), Shank (2010) and The Stephen K. Amos Show (2010).- Deogracias Masomi was born on 6 May 1987 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. He is an actor, known for The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki (2016), Heart of a Lion (2013) and Deadwind (2018).