Fally Ipupa recently connected with AfroBerlin to discuss his debut acting role in the film Rumba Royale. The renowned Congolese artist expressed excitement about his foray into acting, indicating that he’s eager to take on more roles in the future.
Rumba Royale is a historical thriller that unfolds in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the late 1950s, prior to its independence from Belgium in 1960. A discussion about the film highlighted the first day of AfroBerlin, a vibrant event coinciding with the Berlin Film Festival that showcases African cinema.
The storyline is set in 1959 in Leopoldville, the then-capital of Belgian Congo, now known as Kinshasa. It centers around a Rumba club where locals and Europeans immerse themselves in the nightlife, all while the country stands on the threshold of independence. Ipupa portrays Danel, a free-spirited photographer.
Known as the "Prince of Rumba," Ipupa boasts millions of monthly streaming listeners and ranks among Africa’s biggest music icons. He noted that he applied the strong work ethic developed in his music career to his acting experience.
"You can’t achieve the level I have without hard work; talent alone isn’t sufficient," he remarked in a Zoom session from the U.S. "That’s why I dedicated time to rehearsals before the shoot."
Balancing his busy tour schedule made the production challenging, as he explained, “One of the toughest parts was coordinating my schedule during filming.”
During the session, he was joined by co-star Melanie Bokata, U.S. cinematographer Ronny Law, writer Kevin Dwyer, and producer-director Hamed Mobasser, who offered insights into the project.
Mobasser, who co-directed with Congolese filmmaker Yohane Dean Lengol, praised Ipupa for his dedication, stating, “Fally is the hardest worker I’ve ever encountered. It can be intimidating as a director when you realize that a major star is the first to arrive on set, waiting for the crew.”
The film aims to pioneer the filmmaking scene in the DRC and across Africa, as Mobasser explained. “We hope this movie serves as an icebreaker to demonstrate the potential for producing high-quality commercial films in Africa.”
He elaborated, "If we can prove that we can attract audiences not just in Congo but also in Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and other French-speaking countries, it will set a promising precedent."
During the session, Deadline’s International Featured Editor, Diana Lodderhose, asked Ipupa if he was interested in pursuing more acting roles. Mobasser translated as Ipupa responded in French, conveying that he genuinely enjoyed the experience and was open to future projects—though not motivated solely by financial gain.
