Film Exposes Colonial Extraction in Congo Basin
A new film, The Tree of Authenticity, delves into the complicated environmental history of the Congo basin. Through archival material and striking visuals, director Sammy Baloji examines the lasting impacts of colonial exploitation.
Voices of the Past
The film uses a unique structure, dividing its narrative into three parts, each guided by a different voice. The first voice is that of Congolese agronomist Paul Panda Farnana. His journal entries reveal his frustrations with the colonial regime during the 1910s and 1920s, alongside meteorological data he collected.
Juxtaposed with Farnana’s perspective is that of Abiron Beirnaert, a Belgian colonial official. His writings are filled with boredom and a sense of jadedness, offering a sharp contrast to Farnana’s political awareness.
A Tree’s-Eye View
In the film’s third section, the narrative shifts dramatically. The ancient tree of the title is given a voice, bearing witness to decades of Congolese history. This stylistic choice encourages viewers to reconsider anthropocentric views of climate change.
The Democratic Republic of Congo faces significant deforestation challenges; a recent report by the World Resources Institute indicated that the country lost 490,000 hectares of humid primary forest in 2023 alone (WRI 2024).
Sustainability Under Scrutiny
While the idea of giving a tree an inner monologue might seem simplistic, it serves to highlight non-human perspectives. Ultimately, The Tree of Authenticity offers a compelling exploration of the multifaceted nature of extraction, even within the context of sustainability.
The Tree of Authenticity is showing at the ICA from 10 July.
