Set in 1998 at the outset of the Second Congo War, Rwandan director Joël Karekezi's second feature is a propulsive odyssey about a pair of Rwandan soldiers navigating both wilderness and personal existential crises while lost behind enemy lines.

At the outbreak of the Second Congo War, Sergeant Xavier is sent into the vicious depths of the Congolese River Basin to hunt down those who perpetrated genocide in his native Rwanda four years ago. When he and a young private are accidentally left behind in the jungle, their bid for retribution turns into a struggle for pure survival. With only each other to count on, they embark on an odyssey across the most violent forest on earth, facing the depths of their own war-torn souls and the spiritual consequences of saving and taking lives.

A film by Joel Karekezi

Rwanda / Belgium / France, 2018, Fiction, 91 mins, Drama, French / Swahili Subtitled

starring Marc Zinga, Stéphane Bak

Trailer THE MERCY OF THE JUNGLE VOSTA from UDI on Vimeo.

ORIGINAL TITLE: The Mercy of the Jungle
COUNTRY: Belgium, France
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2018
LANGUAGE: French, Swahili
RUNTIME: 91 min

TAGS: History, Drama, Conflict, Global Perspectives, Life Experiences, SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN

"The mercy of the jungle is a road movie that deals with wars in Congo through the eyes of two lost soldiers by showcasing their struggle, weakness and hope." Joel Karekezi

Producers
Aurélien Bodinaux, Oualid Baha

director
Joël Karekezi

screenplay
Joël Karekezi, Casey Schroen, Aurélien Bodinaux

sound
Benoît de Clerck Philippe Grivel

Cinematography
Joachim Philippe

Editing
Antoine Donnet

Original Score
Line Adam, Nirere Shanel

Production Designer
Geneviève Leyh

Main CAST
Marc Zinga : Xavier
Stéphane Bak : Private Faustin
Ibrahim Ahmed AKA Pino : Mukundzi
Nirere Shanel : Amina

Marc Zinga... Sergeant Xavier
Stéphane Bak... Private Faustin
Nirere Shanel... Amina
Ibrahim Ahmed... Mukundzi
Kantarama Gahigiri... Kazungu
Joel Okuyo Atiku Prynce... Kibindankoyi
Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga... Major
Ronald Ssemaganda... Child 1
Tebandeke Samuel... Soldier 1
Michael Wawuyo... Village Chief
Mathew Nabwiso... Paul
Michael Wawuyo Jr.... Refugee
Were Edrine... Child 2
River Dan Rugaju... Captain

Production Companies
Neon Rouge Production, Tact Production

International Sales
Urban Distribution International


FESTIVALS
* Festival de Douarnenez 2018, France (World Premiere, Première Mondiale)
* Toronto IFF 2018 - Discovery (North American Premiere) - www.tiff.net/tiff/the-mercy-of-the-jungle/
* FIFF Namur 2018 - Competition
* Milano FF 2018 - Feature Film Competition
* Chicago IFF 2018 - New Directors Competition - Silver Hugo Award
* JCC Carthage - Feature Fiction Competition
* Afrikamera 2018 - Opening Film
* IFFI Goa 2018 - ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal Competition
* Festival Khouribga 2018 - Best Screenplay Award & Best Supporting Role Award for Stephen Bak
* IFFR Rotterdam 2019 - Bright Future
* Göteborg FF 2019 - Five Continents
* FESPACO 2019 - Opening Film - Official Competition

2013 | Festival de Cannes
* projet sélectionné au programme Cinémas du Monde (LA FABRIQUE 2013)


2013 | Columbia University Film Festival (25th CUFF), New York, USA
* Faculty Selects recognition
http://cufilmfest.com/archive/2013test2/scripts.php?script=23

2012 | 3rd Durban FilmMart, DURBAN, South Africa
* Development grant (from Canal France International) www.durbanfilmmart.com