Photo Courtesy Of Nganji MutiriWHAT’S YOUR ORIGIN STORY?
I was born in Congo in 1980. I moved to Belgium in 1997, a few months after the outbreak of The First Congo War (1996–1997). That's the year I discovered writing as my therapy against exile. In 2004, I completed a bachelor’s degree in International Trade and started working in that field, earning good money with no peace of mind. It took me six years to realize that art was my real vocation. In 2010, I quit the bank I was working for. Ever since, I've been active as a photographer, filmmaker and actor.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I live five km from Brussels, in a city called Dilbeek.
HOW DID YOUR PROFESSION COME TO YOU?
Growing up surrounded by art loving parents surely planted the seed. The rest came from the need and years of practice under the caring eyes of more experienced fellow artists.
WHAT WAS THE THEMATIC APPROACH AND CREATIVE PROCESS FOR “MIEL”?
“Miel” is inspired by “Couleur de Miel”, a text I wrote after a stay in Morocco where I realized that the racist violence some black migrants where victims of was the extreme of anything that I'd ever experienced in Belgium. By recording an audio with the original music composed by Belgian musician, Cloé du Trèfle, and later adapting it into a short film directed by my sister Malkia, I wanted to touch on something rarely talked about in the media although viciously present in Europe and North Africa: The racial hatred some “Arabs” and “Blacks” demonstrate towards each other.
WHY THE CONFLICTS OF IMMIGRATION AND INTEGRATION?
As a storyteller, I focus on everything that might cause the alienation of my main characters. In particular, alienation linked to racism, sexism, political oppression, colonialism, religious manipulations, and other historical traumas. Immigration and integration just happen to be two of those topics I know best.
HOW DO YOU DECIDE ON THE ARTISTIC DIRECTION OF YOUR COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS?
The funny thing is that my sister Malkia and I always talk about our respective projects but rarely work, officially, together. What happened with "Miel" is that she called me after listening to the audio (“Couleur de Miel”) I had just sent her and she had a clear idea about the artistic direction the short film “Miel” should have. After a few weeks discussing it, we agreed.
HOW DO YOU EXPRESS YOURSELVES IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL DOMAINS?
I follow three rules: Stay curious, try to always improve myself and stay faithful to the original inspiration of each project.
IS AFRICA AND ITS DIASPORA EXPERIENCING AN ARTISTIC RENAISSANCE?
Africa seems to be trendy these days but art in Africa and its diaspora have always been there. There are artists and trends, some have popular labels, some don't, depending on the audience's subjective experience. I would be curious to know what you think about it (Who? Me? I always have an opinion).
DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF YOUR VOCATION?
I am passionate about human beings. History, psychology, geopolitics and philosophy are disciplines I like to explore to understand our behaviors. I run three times a week and I laugh more often than my films might suggest.
WHAT’S THE MOTTO OR ADVICE YOU LIVE BY?
Live and learn.
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