MK2 Boards Ground-Breaking Rwandan Cannes-Selected Film ‘Ben’Imana’
#Mk2 Films#Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo#Ben’Imana#Cannes Film Festival#Rwandan cinema#post-genocide drama#Un Certain Regard#African film
📌 Key Takeaways
Mk2 Films acquires sales rights for 'Ben’Imana' ahead of its Cannes premiere.
The film is the first feature by a Rwandan director selected for Cannes Official Selection.
The drama is set in post-genocide Rwanda in 2012 and follows a survivor named Vénéranda.
Its selection marks a historic milestone for Rwandan and African cinema.
📖 Full Retelling
Mk2 Films, the prominent French international sales company, has acquired worldwide sales rights for Rwandan director Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo's feature film 'Ben’Imana' in an exclusive deal announced in April 2024, ahead of the film's historic world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival in May. The acquisition was strategically made to champion the groundbreaking drama, which has become the first feature film by a Rwandan director ever selected for the Cannes Official Selection, marking a significant milestone for African and specifically Rwandan cinema on the global stage.
The film 'Ben’Imana' is a poignant post-genocide drama set in Rwanda in 2012. It follows the story of Vénéranda, a survivor grappling with the profound trauma and complex aftermath of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The narrative delves into themes of memory, survival, and the arduous path toward reconciliation and healing nearly two decades after the horrific events. Director Dusabejambo, who has previously gained recognition for her short films, uses this feature-length project to explore intimate, human-scale stories within the larger historical context, contributing to the vital cultural processing of national trauma through art.
This selection by the Cannes festival represents a major breakthrough, not just for the filmmaker but for the entire Rwandan film industry. It signals growing international recognition for narratives emerging from Rwanda and the broader Central African region, which have historically been underrepresented on prestigious platforms like Cannes. The backing of Mk2 Films, known for handling award-winning arthouse cinema, provides 'Ben’Imana' with a powerful launchpad for global distribution, ensuring its story reaches audiences worldwide and fostering greater diversity in the stories celebrated by the international film community.
🏷️ Themes
Cinema, Cultural Breakthrough, Post-Conflict Narrative
The Cannes Film Festival is considered the most prestigious film festival in the world. Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world. Founded in 1946, the invitation-only festival is held annually (usually in May) at the Palais des F...
Cinema of Africa refers to the film industries and films produced in the continent of Africa. It covers both the history and present of the making or screening of films on the African continent, and also refers to the persons involved in this form of audiovisual culture. It dates back to the late 19...
Un Certain Regard (French: [œ̃ sɛʁtɛ̃ ʁəɡaʁ]; 'A Certain Glance') is a section of the Cannes Film Festival's official selection. It is run at the salle Debussy, parallel to the competition for the Palme d'Or. This section was introduced in 1978 by Gilles Jacob.
EXCLUSIVE: Mk2 Films has boarded sales on Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo’s post-genocide drama Ben’Imana ahead of its world premiere in Cannes Un Certain Regard in May. The film makes history as the first feature by a Rwandan director to be selected for Cannes Official Selection. Set in Rwanda in 2012, Ben’Imana follows Vénéranda, a survivor […]
