Makala

Makala (Swahili for 'charcoal'), the new documentary by Emmanuel Gras, is a powerful testament to one man's commitment to his family, and his edurance in working to provide them with a brighter future. Kabwita, a 28-year-old man living in Congo with his wife and daughters, dreams of purchasing a plot of land to expand the family home. He sees his opportunity to earn money by selling charcoal, culled from the ashes of a mighty hardwood tree that he has felled and baked in an earthen oven. Loading up the bags of charcoal onto the back of his bicycle, Kabwita sets off on a daunting journey - up steep hills and across treacherous roads - to sell the charcoal at market. Featuring stunning cinematography that finds beauty in this tireless labor, Makala won the 2017 Grand Prize at International Critics Week and Golden Eye Special Mention for Best Documentary in Cannes.