We initially covered Benda Bilili! back in February when it was chosen to screen at South by Southwest Film Festival. Since then, it has continued on through the festival circuit and this week, will receive a limited release in the U.S. and Canada.
The documentary follows an unlikely group of musicians in Kinshasa, capital of the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. The band, Staff Benda Bilili—in English, “look beyond”—is a group of street musicians composed of four paraplegics and three able-bodied men.
See the trailer and release dates after the jump.
Benda Bilili! release dates/locations:
US THEATERS
Releasing September 30, 2011
New York, NY IFC Center
Releasing October 7, 2011
Santa Monica, CA Monica 4-Plex
San Francisco, CA Lumiere OR Opera
Washington, DC E Street Cinema
Boston, MA Kendall Square 9
Releasing October 14, 2011
Arlington, VA AMC Shirlington
Minneapolis, MN Lagoon
Philadelphia, PA Ritz 5 OR Bourse
Releasing October 21, 2011
New Orleans, LA Elmwood Palace 20
Detroit, MI Maple Art
Seattle, WA Varsity
Releasing October 28, 2011
Philadelphia, PA Ritz 5 or Bourse (TBD)
CANADIAN THEATERS
Releasing October 14, 2011
Toronto, ON TIFF Bell Lightbox
For tickets, visit National Geographic.