Rwagasore: Vie, Combat, Espoir

Directed by Pascal Capitolin

Prince Louis Rwagasore, son of king Mwambutsa IV Bangiricenge, manages to gather a crowd of militants in support of his vision: to cast off the colonial yoke. In 1961, at the first free elections, his party is victorious and Rwagasore becomes Prime Minister. Yet only a few days after the formation of his government he is assassinated on 13 October 1961. The documentary is based on what immediate witnesses could tell and on historical sources. While Rwagasore is well known as the hero of Burundi’s independence, little in fact is known about his career and what his vision truly was. This film opens a window to his life and political struggle.