This is the definitive visual record of the rise and fall of Joseph Désiré Mobutu, ruler of Zaire (the Congo) for over 30 years. Drawing upon 140 hours of rare archival material found in Kinshasa, and 50 hours of interviews with those once close to him, MOBUTU, KING OF ZAIRE tells the story of the man at the heart of Central Africa's post-colonial history.

This is part three of three parts.

Part Three - THE END OF A REIGN

As the Cold War ended, Mobutu partied on the Mediterranean Coast with French and Belgian officials, prominent Americans and other dignitaries. Covering the years from 1988 to 1997, Part Three includes footage of these lavish affairs, even as close friend Nicolai Ceausescu is being tried and executed. A warning Mobutu did not heed.

Despite U.S. President George Bush's assertions, again captured on film, that Mobutu was "our most valued friend in Africa," with the Cold War over he felt increasing pressure from the West to pay his own way (and open the political process to opposition).

The film documents the emergence of an opposition movement in Kinshasa led by Etienne Tshisekedi, the development of the National Conference from 1990 to 1992, and the rebellion led by Laurent Desire Kabila in 1996. In May, 1997 Kabila, Mobutu, and South Africa's President Nelson Mandela met in Kinshasa, within weeks Kabila took the city, Mobutu fled, and he died in exile in September of that year. The film uses the best contemporary documentary material of all of these events.

Thierry Michel, whose two previous films on the Congo, THE LAST COLONIALS and ZAIRE, CYCLE OF THE SERPENT, are also distributed by First Run / Icarus Films, has crafted an essential history and documentary resource

Select Accolades

• 2001 African Literature Association Film Festival
• 2000 African Studies Association Film Festival
• 1999 Best Documentary Nominee, International Documentary Association
• Special Mention, 1999 European Film Awards
• 1999 Prix Arte, European Film Academy
• 1999 New York Film Festival
• 1999 Margaret Mead Film Festival