Augure (2024)

An enchanting film night about belonging and displacement set in magic realistic Congo 

To celebrate art and culture from the African continent Roffa Mon Amour and Wereldmuseum Rotterdam present the cinematic gem from 2024 Augure by Belgian-Congolese artist, musician and filmmaker Baloji. 

About the film 

After 18 years living in Belgium, Koffi returns to his native Congo to introduce his Belgian pregnant girlfriend to his family. As a kid Koffi was disowned because his family believed he was a “zabolo,” a kind of witch or sorcerer. Excited as he can be to reunite with his family, the disappointment falls heavy on him. Back in the Congo, he still experiences rejection about the person who he is. He meets three other people who are also considered witches by their families and communities. Despite their misfortunes, they try to help each other and escape the curse placed on them. Augure is a memerizing magic realistic film about belonging and displacement. 

Augure is the first feature film by Baloji, a Belgian-Congolese rapper and performer. Inspired by the misfortunate effect of his own name Baloji which refers to “witch” he wrote the first version of his film in 2018, after the death of his father. With a background as a fashion designer the scenes and costumes are art pieces on their own. He recorded four new albums around the main characters in the film. The film already won awards at Cannes, received very favorable reviews and was chosen as Belgium’s entry for the Oscars. Augure is the film you must have seen! 

The film has English subtitles

Voorprogramma Woordkunst met Glodi 

Voorafgaand aan de film geeft Glodi Mbwete een spoken word performance. Glodi is een dichter, rapper en woordkunstenaar woonachtig in Den Haag waar hij met zijn platform Ik Spreek een podium biedt aan spoken word makers en jongeren stimuleert woordkunst te maken. Na zijn optreden gaat hij in gesprek met Nychenda Fecunda over hoe zijn Congolese roots hem vormen als maker.

Het gesprek vindt plaats in het Nederlands.