Bandeko Basi - Paul Shemisi & Bie Michels

Bandeko Basi is a documentary by feminist activist Hana Kele that breaks taboos on questions of sexual identity, while offering hard-hitting reflections on the role of women in Kinshasa society. The documentary, directed by Paul Shemisi and Bie Michels, reflects on the different perspectives and experiences of female sexual identity. Through everyday scenes and spontaneous dialogue, the film gives voice to a rich variety of identities. The intersection of these perspectives creates an authentic dynamic, between sincere confidences and deep questioning. A journey to the heart of Kinshasa, a sensitive and political documentary.

Bie Michels is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Kinshasa. Her work focuses on (post-)colonial issues, decolonisation, post-colonial feminism and the representation of women. Paul Shemisi initially studied law, but soon swapped legal doctrine for the camera. He is a member of the Belgian-Congolese collective Faire-Part which won the 4th Cedric Willemen Prize in 2023.​​​​​​​

This work is part of the argos collection, Belgium’s most extensive archive of artist films and videos. Bringing together around 6,000 titles spanning sixty years, argos preserves, researches, and shares the rich history of audiovisual arts.​​​​​​​