Justine Bitagoye is a Burundian journalist, film producer, screenwriter and film director.
Biography
Bitagoye is an independent filmmaker from
Burundi
Burundi (, ), officially the Republic of Burundi ( rn, Repuburika y’Uburundi ; Swahili language, Swahili: ''Jamuhuri ya Burundi''; French language, French: ''République du Burundi'' ), is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley at the ...
, who works as a journalist for
the National Television and Radio Broadcast Authority. She has a BA in history from the National University of Burundi, and an MA in
environmental journalism
Environmental journalism is the collection, verification, production, distribution and exhibition of information regarding current events, trends, and issues associated with the non-human world. To be an environmental journalist, one must have an ...
from Karera University in
Uganda
}), is a landlocked country in East Africa
East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territor ...
.
Filmography
; Moussa (2005)
Documentary film; Bitagoye's first collaboration with Gaudiose Nininahazwe.
;
Mieux vaut mal vivre que mourir (2006)
Documentary film, created and directed with Burundian filmmaker Gaudiose Nininahazwe. The film follows the lives of people living in a city garbage dump, surviving on what they scavenge there. They live a difficult, sometimes violent, life.
The film was chosen for screening at festivals around the world, and received a special commendation at
FESPACO
The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (Festival panafricain du cinéma et de la télévision de Ouagadougou or FESPACO) is a film festival in Burkina Faso, held biennially in Ouagadougou, where the organization is based. It ...
and at the Monte Carlo International Film Festival.
; Kazubaː le soleil se lève (2008)
Documentary film about Sybil Anita, who grew up as an orphan in rural Burundi. At age 11, she began participating in singing competitions, and eventually became an international artist, performing in multiple languages. She is also an activist for women's rights, and political reconciliation.
; Rwagasoreː vie, combat, espoir (2012)
Biographical documentary, directed by Bitagoye and Pascal Capitolin.
The film was released in honor of the 50th anniversary of Burundi's independence, and tells the story of the man who became a symbol of the struggle against colonialism – Prince
Louis Rwagasore
Louis Rwagasore ( rn, Ludoviko Rwagasore, italics=no; 10 January 1932 – 13 October 1961) was a Burundian prince and politician, who served as the second prime minister of Burundi for two weeks, from 28 September 1961 until his assassination on ...
, who the son of King
Mwambutsa IV Bangilisenge. During his short political life, he gathered around him militant support for his vision: Complete liberation from
Belgian colonization
Belgium controlled several territories and concessions during the colonial era, principally the Belgian Congo (modern DRC) from 1908 to 1960 and Ruanda-Urundi (modern Rwanda and Burundi) from 1922 to 1962. It also had small concessions in Gu ...
. in 1961, in Burundi's first free elections, his party,
Union for National Progress
The Union for National Progress (french: Union pour le Progrès national, UPRONA) is a nationalist political party in Burundi. It initially emerged as a nationalist united front in opposition to Belgian colonial rule but subsequently became an i ...
(UPRONA), came out on top, and he was elected as prime minister. However, only a few days after he established his government, he was assassinated, on 13 October 1961, and did not live to see the day his country finally declared independence, on 1 July 1962.
The film is based mostly on personal witness accounts, as very little documentary footage exists about this leader of Burundi independence.
The film was selected for screening at many international film festivals, including:
* Afrika Filmfestival 2013
* AfricAvenir presents: "African Perspectives"
*
Rwanda Film Festival
The Rwanda Film Festival, also known as Hillywood, is a film festival held annually in July in Kigali, Rwanda. The Rwanda Film Festival gained worldwide recognition over the past years and has become one of Africa's major film events.
History
The ...
2013
* Jenseits von Europa XIII
* Au-delà de l'Europe
* Cologne African Film Festival 2014
* Afrika Filmfestival 2014
* Les mardis de Mémoires du Congo 2017
The film was also a finalist in the International Radio and Television Union (URTI) competition.
See also
*
List of female film and television directors
This is a list of female film and television directors. Their works may include live action and/or animated features, shorts, documentaries, telemovies, TV programs, or videos.
A
* Jennifer Abbott (Canada)
* Sarah Abbott (Canada
* Jenni ...
References
External links
''Almost Nothing Is Better Than Nothing At All'' Neon Rouge
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bitagoye, Justine
Living people
Burundian film directors
Women film directors
Year of birth missing (living people)