OMEN

By Beverly AndrewsThe Belgium Rapper Baloji is an artistic polymath. Along with being an acclaimed musician, his first feature film has now been released and it shows him to be also an intriguing film director. Titled Omen, his debut takes a fascination look at how traditional African beliefs shape the life of a Congolese man, making a surprise return visit to his native community. Accompanied by a now pregnant European wife, who he has married against his mother’s wishes we watch as a casual journey home transforms into something far darker. Omen gradually changes into a magical realist portrait of cultural clashes, where tradition and modernity collide. The film is an acclaimed co-production between Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, the Netherlands, France, Germany and South Africa. The film was selected as the Belgium entry for the 96^th Academy Awards and this spring sees its UK release.