By :

Nicolas DE BORMAN, Samuel TILMAN

Congo (Democratic Republic), 2004

54 min

Info

Country :

Congo (Democratic Republic)

Year :

2004

Length :

54 min

Colour / B&W :

couleur

Audience :

Tous publics

Format :

Vidéo

In the 30s, at the age of 26, Victor Mertens landed in Congo as a Jesuit missionary. His daily shared in catechism classes and field work, Mfumu Matensi his Congolese name has the mission to extract the local population of their primitive stage. In the various places where he was deployed, he has not failed in his wish to teach the missionary work.

Through archival footage and testimony of his former students, his nephew Nicolas tells his individual path. Throughout the journey, he discovers the old buildings that remained intact, the site where his great uncle served. In mission in this country for nearly sixty-five years, Victor Mertens led the Society of Jesus during the tumultuous period of independence.

The life of the preacher, symbolizes now the dreams and disappointments of the Belgian missionary project.Mfumu Matensi accompanied Nicolas, in his journey to meet one of the last witnesses of the missionary world before the war.