
L'arbre de l'authenticité selected for Tiger competition IFFR 2025
In this immersive film essay, artist and filmmaker Sammy Baloji examines the colonial history surrounding this research, presenting a detailed study of the Democratic Republic of Congo over the past century. Structured in three parts, the film combines personal testimonies with scientific findings to trace the legacy of Belgian colonisation – not only its profound impact on human lives but also on the natural world.
Baloji confronts the exploitation embedded in this history, asking urgent questions about its continued resonance in a world facing ecological collapse. A riveting historical document, L’arbre de l’authenticité is also a compelling portrait of lives across cultures and backgrounds, and a chilling reminder of what lies ahead if we fail to change our relationship with the environment.