Rising Up at Night Review: Community Spirit in Kinshasa’s Shadows

Living in the Shadows: Kinshasa’s Energy Crisis and Community Survival

Basic human necessities have become elusive luxuries in neighbourhoods like Kisenso, where director Nelson Makengo filmed much of his documentary. Meals are eaten by candlelight, and churchgoers wear light-up medallions to illuminate their prayer books during services led by figures like Pastor Gédéon on Mount Mangengenge. Residents face pitch-black, flooded streets that amplify dangers. Community matriarchs voice grave concerns that the lack of public lighting enables criminals to target their daughters for sexual assault and causes elderly women to fall into hidden holes and sustain severe injuries.

Grassroots Action Versus Multibillion-Dollar Hydroelectric Plans

In the absence of reliable state support, local residents take matters into their own hands. Younger community members, including a resident named Kudi, actively raise funds to retrieve stolen electric cables and purchase generators. However, gender dynamics shape these efforts; unemployed young men often expect their mothers to pay for electrical equipment while the men step in to guard it. Meanwhile, residents roaming flooded streets listen to radios broadcasting state promises, such as President Felix Tshisekedi’s vow to increase the capacity of the Inga 3 Hydropower Project from 4,800 megawatts to 7,500 megawatts. Originally announced in 2013 with a $14 billion price tag and backing from a major Chinese corporation, the multibillion-dollar project has suffered numerous delays, kickbacks, and regional disputes, leaving locals to manage their own precarious daily reality.

Filming the Darkness: Makengo’s Cinematic Approach

Director Nelson Makengo captures the nocturnal reality of Kinshasa by shooting mostly by the light of his own camera and the flashlights carried by his subjects. The documentary weaves a dense soundscape mixing urban noises, fervent religious chants, and sombre news reports about hydroelectric delays. Rather than directly attacking politicians or filming street protests, Makengo profiles distinct individuals—such as Kudi organizing cable repairs, Pastor Gédéon preaching on Mount Mangengenge, and Davido searching for shelter after a flood—to portray the complex social fabric of an impoverished society relying entirely on communal bonds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rising Up at Night about?

Nelson Makengo’s documentary debut explores the severe electricity shortage in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and how residents use religion, community resilience, and survival tactics to navigate life in permanent darkness.

When is Rising Up at Night releasing?

The film is scheduled to premiere on True Story starting September 25.

What is the Inga 3 Hydropower Project?

Inga 3 is a multibillion-dollar hydroelectric project announced in 2013 at an initial cost of $14 billion, backed by a major Chinese corporation. It has faced numerous delays, regional disputes, and controversy while promising to deliver power primarily for export and mining operations.

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