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Lumumba

Released Jun 27, 2001 1h 55m Drama List
82% Tomatometer 60 Reviews 83% Audience Score 1,000+ Ratings
"Lumumba" is a gripping political thriller which tells the story of the legendary African leader Patrice Emery Lumumba. Called "the politico of the bush" by journalists of his day, the brilliant and charismatic Lumumba rose rapidly to the office of Prime Minister when Belgium conceded the Congo's independence in June, 1960. He would last two months in office. This is a true story. Read More Read Less

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Critics Consensus

Ebouaney's fiery performance makes Lumumba compelling.

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Critics Reviews

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Ella Taylor L.A. Weekly Peck, who assayed Lumumba's life in a 1991 documentary, now paces the doomed man's story like the genuine thriller it is. Oct 21, 2002 Full Review John Monaghan Detroit Free Press At the heart of the movie is Ebouaney's performance as Lumumba, every bit as intense as Denzel Washington's as Malcolm X. Nov 16, 2001 Full Review Glenn Lovell San Jose Mercury News Ebouaney is easily the best thing about this import. Nov 9, 2001 Full Review Ed Morales The Nation Raoul Peck has emerged as one of his generation's leading filmmakers and intellectuals. Jun 28, 2021 Full Review A.S. Hamrah The Baffler Lumumba is framed by long, menacing scenes, lit by fire, of its main character's 1961 arrest and disappearance. Sep 18, 2020 Full Review Kelly Vance East Bay Express It's a prime example of how a historical drama can be politically correct but thoroughly embalmed. The memory of Patrice Lumumba deserves better. Aug 11, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (49) audience reviews
Audience Member ï¿ 1/2 1/2~Lumumbaï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM) ï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C)tait un film bien fait. Il ï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C)tait très puissant. Il mï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM)a aide a rï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C)alisï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C) quï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM)il y a beaucoup des pays dans la monde aujourdï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM)hui qui ont des problèmes qui ont ete causee par la colonization il y a longtemps. Il mï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM)a aussi aidï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C) à comprendre à quel point les gens dï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM)Afrique ï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C)taient traitï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C)s sï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C)vèrement. Je souhaite que le film montre plus de film personnel de Lumumba, mais je comprends que ce n'ï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C)tait pas l'intention du rï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C)alisateur. C'ï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C)tait un film agrï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C)able et informatif, et il ouvre les yeux. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review thomas a This historical drama is about the national hero of Democratic Republic of Congo, Patrice Lumumba. The drama hows everything mainly from Lumumba's life (instead of the atrocities committed during the following chaotic civil war). Nonetheless, it uncovers what history has taken so long to achieve: that there were outside parties involved in the killing of Lumumba. For colonial history enthusiasts, "Lumumba" is a must-watch. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a compelling movie whose harsh truths we prefer to forget. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member (***): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] An interesting film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member A well made film, but unless you already know the story of Congo's independance - probably a confusingmovie to watch .... Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Podria haber sido mucho mejor (no pude evitar compararla con la pelicula sobre Malcolm X de Spike Lee). Pero de todas maneras cumple el objetivo de contar la historia de este importante lider africano. I think it could be so much better (I couldn't help to compare it with the film Malcolm X by Spike Lee). Anyway it does a very good job telling the story of this important african leader. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Lumumba

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Movie Info

Synopsis "Lumumba" is a gripping political thriller which tells the story of the legendary African leader Patrice Emery Lumumba. Called "the politico of the bush" by journalists of his day, the brilliant and charismatic Lumumba rose rapidly to the office of Prime Minister when Belgium conceded the Congo's independence in June, 1960. He would last two months in office. This is a true story.
Director
Raoul Peck
Screenwriter
Raoul Peck, Pascal Bonitzer
Distributor
Zeitgeist Films
Production Co
JBA Productions, Entre Chien et Loup, Velvet Film, Canal+, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF), arte France Cinéma, Essential Filmproduktion GmbH, Eurimages
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 27, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 14, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$684.1K
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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