A deeply affecting coming-of-age drama, Congo Boy tells the story of Robert, a young Congolese man displaced by war into the Central African Republic. With his parents imprisoned over their immigration status, Robert is left to care for his four younger siblings, juggle various odd jobs, and manage his studies. He hides his Congolese identity for fear of being deported, even from his best friend, while working to fulfill his father’s dream of becoming a doctor — though his real passion is for music. As pressures mount, Robert escapes his struggles through writing poetry and singing.
This is a film that immerses its audience in what it feels like to grow up in a place where you don’t feel accepted. Writers Rafiki Fariala and Tommy Baron skillfully layer the film with socioeconomic and political dimensions. Congo Boy is a rich portrait of the refugee experience that leaves its audience with a lingering sense of hope.
Content Considerations: Racism
Best Actor: Un Certain Regard, Cannes 2026
Supported by
Community Partner
Bradley Fiomona, Christy Djomanda Louba, Pétruche Mbomba, Rosiana Kotozia, Gloria Ambacko, Dieufera Sana
Central African Republic/France/
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Italy
2026
In Sango, French, Lingala, and Swahili with English subtitles
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
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Credits & Director
Producer
Boris Lojkine, Elvis Sabin Ngaïbino, Daniele Incalcaterra
Screenwriter
Rafiki Fariala, Tommy Baron
Cinematography
Adrien Lallau
Editor
César Simonot
Original Music
Rafiki Fariala, Lillo Morealle
Rafiki Fariala
Born 1997 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Fariala Alolea Albert moved to the Central African Republic as a young child when his parents sought refuge due to the war. He recorded his first song “Je Suis Élève” in 2013, and when it became a hit he adopted his stage name Rafiki. In 2017, he discovered filmmaking during a documentary course at the University of Bangui, and in 2022 he made his feature debut with the documentary We, Students! The film was selected for the Berlinale and won numerous awards in festivals, including two awards at Cinéma du Réel.
Filmography: We, Students! (2022)
Photo by César Simonot
