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The television series follows the lives of Guy Moyaert and Luke
Vermarcke. They are nephews. They leave together for the Congo in
1945. Luke will work on his father's recently acquired plantation.
Guy will take up a post in the colonial government. Both men like
each other and are close friends.
There
is one woman in both their lives - Hélène. They met
her before the war and have both fallen in love with her. Although
she likes both of them just as much, her eventual choice will fall
on Luke whose feet seem to be more firmly on the ground than Guy's
are.
The
tree of them, Guy, Luke and Hélène, leave for the
Kongo. It doesn't take long before Guy comes face to face with corruption
which is rife there. The war has taken its toll on the Kongo and
has left its scars.
Corruption is evident in the relationship between church, big industries
and government. Each attempts to hold on to its own domain, even
if it has to be at the cost of others.
After
a couple of years Guy moves up in the colonial administration and
becomes regional manager of the Bukavu department. He is an idealist
and clashes with Roland, manager of the local mine. Roland's priorities
are himself and the mine and he is not against applying the principle
"the end justifies the means".
The
role of Alexis, the mission Father, in this conflict is always ambiguous.
He will continue to take the side that is most beneficial to the
mission.
Luke's
problems will be more of a personal nature. He works very hard to
expand the plantation. This only worsens his relationship with Hélène.
Even the birth of their son cannot save the marriage any more. The
death of their child through an accident on the plantation tolls
the end of their relationship. Luke throws himself into his work
on the plantation until it becomes an obsession, whilst Hélène
just locks herself away from the outside world. In the final episode,
Guy, who has remained their friend throughout, will try to help
them but will only manage to save Hélène.
Lucas
Van Den Eynde, Karen Van Parijs, Els Dottermans, Guy Van Sande,
Hans De Munter, Willy Thomas, Johan Van Assche, François Beukelaers,
Nolle Versyp, Rik Van Uffelen, Peter Rouffaer
director
Vincent Rouffaer
screenplay Paul Pourveur & Bert Van Hoeck
photography Jan Vancaillie
production design Karin Threadgold
sound Theo Franssen & Dirk Bombey
costume Bernadette Corstens
make-up Mariël Hoevenaars
1st AD Eddy Stevesyns
post-production Valkieser Facilities
production manager Johan Van den Driessche
production Favourite Films, VRT, Canal+, NPS
in association with RTBF, SVT1, Media Assistance
producer Dirk Impens & Rudy Verzyck
original
version Dutch
running time 7 episodes of 50 minutes
format 16 mm - color
shot on location in Zimbabwe
© Favourite films, VRT, Canal+, 1996
Official
Selection FIPA, Biarratz
credits not contractual
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