Republic of the Congo / 1980 / 80mins / Drama, Religion / French, Lingala

In 1930s Congo, director Jean-Michel Tchissoukou's comedy, 'La Chapelle,' humorously portrays the conflicts between African traditions and the Catholic Church during the construction of a chapel. Tensions rise as the village priest clashes with a young teacher, while the villagers navigate the establishment of a school and chapel, frustrating the parish priest.

Jean-Michel Tchissoukou

Jean-Michel Tchissoukou was born 1942 in Pointe-Noire. He studied filmmaking in Paris at the Institut national de l'audiovisuel and at Ocora. On his return to the Congo, he spent a decade working for the national television channel. His first film, Illusions (1970) was a medium-length feature about a peasant who comes to live in the city with his parents. Tchissoukou was also assistant to Sarah Maldoror on Sambizanga (1972). Tchissoukou's first feature film, The Chapel, won a 1981 FESPACO award. His second feature film, The Wrestlers, examined Congolese identity using a mix of fiction and documentary. Tchissoukou died in Brazzaville in 1997. Learn More