X
  • 2001
  • Not Rated
  • Zeitgeist Films
  • 1 h 55 m
  • 2001
  • Not Rated
  • Zeitgeist Films
  • 1 h 55 m

Summary At the Berlin Conference of 1885, Europe divided up the African continent. The Congo became the personal property of King Leopold II of Belgium. On June 30, 1960, a young self-taught nationalist, Patrice Lumumba, became, at age 36, the first head of government of the new independent state. He would last two months in office. (Zeitgeis...

Directed By: Raoul Peck

Written By: Pascal Bonitzer, Dan Edelstein, Raoul Peck

  • 2001
  • Not Rated
  • Zeitgeist Films
  • 1 h 55 m
  • 2001
  • Not Rated
  • Zeitgeist Films
  • 1 h 55 m

Lumumba

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 22 Critic Reviews
78
User Score Generally Unfavorable Based on 6 User Ratings
2.7
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary At the Berlin Conference of 1885, Europe divided up the African continent. The Congo became the personal property of King Leopold II of Belgium. On June 30, 1960, a young self-taught nationalist, Patrice Lumumba, became, at age 36, the first head of government of the new independent state. He would last two months in office. (Zeitgeis...

Directed By: Raoul Peck

Written By: Pascal Bonitzer, Dan Edelstein, Raoul Peck

Where to Watch

Top Cast

View All
View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 22 Critic Reviews
78
95% Positive
21 Reviews
5% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 22 Critic Reviews
78
95% Positive
21 Reviews
5% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Lumumba revives the tradition of Pontecorvo's "The Battle of Algiers" and Costa-Gavras' "Z" and "State of Siege." In substance and excitement, it joins their ranks.
By Michael Sragow FULL REVIEW
90
Mr. Peck's gambit works, and the result is a great film and a great performance.
By A.O. Scott FULL REVIEW
80
An impassioned, at times thrilling re-creation of the birth of the country that became Zaire and is now known as Congo again.
FULL REVIEW
75
Although the narration is addressed to his wife, we learn little about her, his family or his personal life; he is used primarily as a guide through the milestones of the Congo's brief two-month experiment with democracy.
By Roger Ebert FULL REVIEW
75
Gives a white-knuckled, you-are-there account of a politician's dilemma, one whose repercussions are still felt in Africa.
By Jami Bernard FULL REVIEW
67
The film is masterful in many ways, and brilliantly acted by its lead player, Eriq Ebouaney, but it's often overly dense and fast with information, background and ideas.
By Shawn Levy FULL REVIEW
60
The movie is visually stirring. And the locations, in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, imbue the story with eerie authenticity.
By Desson Thomson FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Unfavorable Based on 6 User Ratings
2.7
33% Positive
2 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
67% Negative
4 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Unfavorable Based on 6 User Ratings
2.7
33% Positive
2 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
67% Negative
4 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

 View All
Production Company JBA Production, Entre Chien et Loup, Essential Filmproduktion GmbH, Velvet S.A., Arte France Cinéma, Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (RTBF), ZDF/Arte, Canal+, Vlaamse Radio en Televisie (VRT), Cofimage 10, Eurimages, Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC), Centre du Cinéma et de l'Audiovisuel de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Fondation GAN pour le Cinéma, Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Développement International, L'Agence de la Francophonie (ACCT)
Release Date Jun 27, 2001
Duration 1 h 55 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
View All Details

Awards

Political Film Society, USA
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Black Reel Awards
• 2 Nominations
Ouagadougou Panafrican Film and Television Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

Related Movies

Related News

Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Every Guy Ritchie Movie, Ranked

Nick Hyman

We rank every one of the British director's movies by Metascore, from his debut Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels to his brand new film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

  • movie
2024 Movie Release Calendar

2024 Movie Release Calendar

Jason Dietz

Find release dates for every movie coming to theaters, VOD, and streaming throughout 2024 and beyond, updated weekly.

  • movie
April Movie Preview (2024)

April Movie Preview (2024)

Keith Kimbell

The month ahead will bring new films from Alex Garland, Luca Guadagnino, Dev Patel, and more. To help you plan your moviegoing options, our editors have selected the most notable films releasing in April 2024, listed in alphabetical order.

  • movie
DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

Jason Dietz

Find a list of new movie and TV releases on DVD and Blu-ray (updated weekly) as well as a calendar of upcoming releases on home video.

  • movie
SXSW 2024 Recap: Best and Worst Films

SXSW 2024 Recap: Best and Worst Films

Keith Kimbell

Which films impressed reviewers during the 2024 edition of the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival? We recap the reactions of critics to all of this year's major SXSW premieres and tell you which titles won the festival's major awards.

  • movie