African Middleweights / Africans Poids Moyens

Film

by Daniel Cattier

Details

Zimbabwe and Belgium / 2004 / 18mins / Drama / French and Lingala

June 1960, The Belgian Congo is on the eve of Independence and young Congolese boxer, Samwa, and his older brother, Nourou, arrive in Brussels for the finals of the Afro-European Middleweight Championship to fight against a Belgian titleholder. Looking to avoid a Congolese victory, the Belgian organizers order Samwa to "dive" to the floor during the final. Nourou believes that this is an opportunity for Belgian passports and a chance to escape their miserable lives for good, but Samwa has other ideas....

About the Director

Daniel Cattier

Daniel Cattier is a freelance film director. His aim is to tell stories linked with Africa. Through his mixed cultural and linguistic background (his father being Belgian and his mother Zimbabwean) the issue of identity is at the core of his interests. After completing the first cycle of a law degree, he studied politics and history at London University School of Oriental and African Studies. Prior to filmmaking, he worked as a research and campaign assistant at the International Secretariat of Amnesty International. He then moved into TV production working as a researcher for documentaries produced for Channel 4, BBC and France 3. Beside his personal projects, he does storyboards and directs corporates, TV programs as well as commercials. Learn More