A double win at FESPACO for Joël Karakezi: The Mercy of the Jungle receives the Yennenga Gold Stallion and its lead actor, Marc Zinga, wins the award for best male performance.

The Mercy of the Jungle tells the story of a struggle in the Kivu region, on the border between Congo and Rwanda, in 1998. As the second Congo war rages, Sgt Xavier, a Rwandan war hero, and the young soldier Faustin lose track of their battalion. They then find themselves isolated and without resources, facing the largest, densest and most hostile jungle on the continent. Tested by hunger, thirst and disease, they have to face their own inner torments, and that of a land ravaged by violence.

 This is the second feature film by Rwandan Joël Karekezi, born in 1985 in Gisenyi, Rwanda. The film will be released in France on 24th April 2019.

Samantha Mugatsia was also awarded Best Female Performance for her role in Rafiki, by Wanuri Kahiu.

Also read FESPACO 2019: 50 Years of African Cinema.