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Guido Piacenza in Congo: A cinematographic and ethnographic document found again

Guido Piacenza au Congo: Valeur filmique et ethnographique d’un document retrouvé

Guido Piacenza au Congo: Valeur filmique et ethnographique d’un document retrouvé

The Italian entrepreneur Guido Piacenza travelled to the Congo in 1912 for a pleasure cruise that took him from the Atlantic coast through the interior of the continent to continue crossing the Uganda border, finally reaching the Kenyan coast. The travel, that during its first part took place sailing along the river Congo, was the occasion to realize what will become the first film shot in Congo. Piacenza took with him a 35-mm camera and the equipment to develop the negative, and realized some extraordinary images of the groups he visited during the trip. In the Uele region, he came in contact with the Azande and Mangbetu chiefs. He visited their capitals and film some of their spectacular dance performances. The article retraces this experience showing the ethnographic and historical interest of the materials collected by Piacenza.

The Italian entrepreneur Guido Piacenza travelled to the Congo in 1912 for a pleasure cruise that took him from the Atlantic coast through the interior of the continent to continue crossing the Uganda border, finally reaching the Kenyan coast. The travel, that during its first part took place sailing along the river Congo, was the occasion to realize what will become the first film shot in Congo. Piacenza took with him a 35-mm camera and the equipment to develop the negative, and realized some extraordinary images of the groups he visited during the trip. In the Uele region, he came in contact with the Azande and Mangbetu chiefs. He visited their capitals and film some of their spectacular dance performances. The article retraces this experience showing the ethnographic and historical interest of the materials collected by Piacenza.

Nel 1912, l’imprenditore italiano Guido Piacenza si recò in Congo per compiere un viaggio di piacere che lo portò dalla costa atlantica attraverso l’interno del continente per continuare attraverso il confine con l’Uganda, raggiungendo infine la costa del Kenya. Il viaggio, la cui prima parte trascorsa navigando lungo il fiume Congo, è stato l’occasione per realizzare quello che diventerà il primo film girato in Congo. Piacenza portò con sé una cinepresa 35 mm e l’attrezzatura per sviluppare il negativo in loco; in questo modo filmò immagini straordinarie dei gruppi che visitò durante il viaggio. Nella regione del Uele, venne in contatto con i capi zande e mangbetu. Visitò le loro capitali e filmò alcune delle loro spettacolari esibizioni di danza. L’articolo ripercorre questa esperienza mostrando l’interesse etnografico e storico dei materiali raccolti da Piacenza.

10.7340/anuac2239-625X-3083