Collaborative Filmmaking as a Tool for Decolonising Cinema. The Faire-Part Case Study

The Faire-Part collaborative documentary, launched in 2018 by directors Anne Reijniers and Rob Jacobs from Belgium, and Nizar Saleh and Paul Shemisi from Congo, aims to challenge the stereotypical portrayal of Congo as a poverty-stricken country. The documentary showcases Kinshasa’s resistance to colonial legacies and offers a more inclusive and equitable representation of the country’s culture and history by combining the four directors’ perspectives. Despite their differing backgrounds and (hi)stories, the directors engage in inner discussions on power, representation, and power dynamics, challenging their biases and perceptions. Through collaborative storytelling, they shed light on the unknown story of Kinshasa as a city of activism, using art to educate and decolonise people. This paper argues that collaborative filmmaking, as exemplified by Faire-Part, can effectively address the colonial gaze by bringing together diverse perspectives. By showcasing the power of collaborative storytelling and the importance of challenging biases, this paper aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of cinema’s role in decolonisation efforts.