Unreported World Documentary

Unreported World Documentary

Series 2012 Episode 4 – Wrestlers, magic and Gangs

Analysis of text

Latoya Wilson

The narrative in this documentary is poetic, informative and the presenter is introduced straight away. The documentary is an investigative journalist account of gang culture in Congo. The music sets the atmosphere of a lively street carnival celebration. The documentary starts with crowds cheering as they watch a wrestling match full of magic, costume and male testosterone. Historical information and narrative commentary from the start inform the audience. There are nice establishing shots and introductions of the champion wrestlers and the magic they use to beat their opponents. We even get a tutorial of some of the wrestling moves with the presenter. The audience learn a considerable amount about Congolese culture.

The wrestler reveals his true identity for the first time in front of the camera when he takes his mask off. This makes the documentary more exclusive as we get the first look at the Champion.  However the documentary takes a darker tone with the introducing of gangs. The sports people that the poor idolise are actually powerful gangbangers with high political connections. Violence, danger is connoted through jumpy camera angles as the presenter and camera crew run for cover from tear gas bombs and open fire from the militant police. Despite outright lies about their affiliations with violence, the Kuluna gang members are paid by the government to mug , steal and attack anyone that is opposed to the political party. The Kuluna gangster wrestlers and youth terrorise the city. Archive footage is shown of political arguments and attacks in Congo Parliament. The presenter enters the Kuluna gang world. We are shown around the poverty stricken neighbourhood of the Kuluna gang by Zombi. They idolise their leader Zombi, who is rich, corrupt and clearly manipulates the young boys although he outright denies this. He distributes money for their work. He calls them strong young boys who want to fight who are not criminals but protectors.  Wrestling is an escape from the reality of poverty and the presenter explains this as the narrative returns back to the wrestling match as its climax. The documentary is informative but highly speculative as the contributors did deny all political connections with the gang.