He and Mobasser tell Deadline why the project is a love letter to Congos cultural heritage.
Olivier Loustau plays a Belgian colonist called Jean-Pierre.
Humble beginnings
The projectis the brainchild of writers Kevin Dwyer and Hamed Mobasser.
Fally Ipupa, Hamed MobasseerFally Ipupa, Hamed Mobasser
Ronny Law also boarded as the films cinematographer.
Fally specifically didnt want to play a musician in the film, says Mobasser.
He wanted to act and thats why he plays Daniel, the main photographer.
Fally Ipupa in ‘Rumba Royale’Rumba Royale
Weve stayed far away from politics, which I think is important, says Ipupa.
We touch on it at the beginning when we talk about the independence but thats it.
Mobasser adds that the focus was to stay historically correct.
It just doesnt fit the theme of the movie.
Wed love for this to have a festival run in some way, notes Mobasser.
People are going to love this movie in Congo, says Ipupa.
He continues: Congo, as an industry, is growing.
There are a lot of new talented Congolese directors, technicians, crew and writers.
In all sections of the film industry, there are new and talented people cropping up.
The reality is the industry is not there yet.
You just wouldnt have enough crew at the right level, he says.
My hope withRumba Royaleis that the Congolese audience take away a sense of pride, says Mobasser.
Having this representation of Congolese rumba on screen is really important.
