WHAT OUR LOCAL FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FILMING IN CONGO BRAZZAVILLE
Congo is bordered to the northwest by Cameroon, to the north by the Central African Republic, to the east and south by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the southwest by the Angolan exclave of Cabinda, and to the west by Gabon. South of its border with Gabon, the country also has a 100-mile- (160-km-) long coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
The climate is equatorial (hot and humid all year round, with no real dry season) in the north, and tropical (hot and humid, with a dry and cooler season in winter) in the central and southern region. In the north a dry season extends from November through March and a rainy season from April through October, whereas in the south the reverse is true. On both sides of the Equator, however, local climates exist with two dry and two wet seasons. The best time to film is from June to September.
French is the official language and Kituba, Lingala and other African languages are also used. Many Congolese, especially urban dwellers, knew several ethnic languages and regularly used their own languages.
The currency used in Brazzaville is the Central African CFA franc but US Dollars are widely used. Local ATM’s are unreliable, so make sure to bring USD or Euros to exchange.
Roads in Brazzaville are relatively well maintained. If you want to travel south from the capital, you should consider flying, as roads and train travel from Brazzaville to Pointe Noire is not recommended for safety concerns.
While not common, violent crime, such as armed robbery and assault, remains a concern throughout the Republic of the Congo. Political demonstrations can be unpredictable. Brazzaville remains one of Africa’s safer cities, and certainly one of its safest capitals.
At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Congo.
WHAT OUR LOCAL FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT FILM LOCATIONS IN CONGO BRAZZAVILLE
The Congo is covered by the dense Congo Rainforest and is a heavily urbanised country with most population concentrated in between Brazzaville and the coast.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of sugarcane, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, and rice paddies. Industrial locations include lumber yards, oil and gas facilities, and diamond mines.
Brazzaville is the capital and main entry point by air. Locations of note in Brazzaville include Nabemba Tower, National Museum, Kintele Stadium, Marché Total, Basilica of St. Anne, Grand Mosque, monument to the dictator Laurent Kabila (designed by North Korea’s Mansudae Overseas Projects), and the unusual Congo Tank Graveyard. The mausoleum of Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza is rumoured to be a centre of black magic.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park located in the north of the country is home to gorillas, chimpanzees, monkeys, buffalo, elephant, hyenas and a variety of birdlife.
Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park located in the north of the country is pristine tropical rainforest home to gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, crocodiles, and a diversity of birdlife.
Lobéké National Park located in the southeast of the country is semi-evergreen forest home to chimpanzees, gorillas, leopards, and a variety of birdlife.
Conkouati-Douli National Park located in the southwest of the country is home to gorillas, elephants, buffalos, gorillas, leopards, chimpanzees, and birdlife.
Léfini Faunal Reserve is home to gorillas, monkeys, hippos, buffalos, and a variety of birdlife.
Ouésso is a transit hub in the remote far north of the country, in an area with many Pygmy villages.
Lake Tele was home to the mythical Mokèlé-mbèmbé creature.
Other Congo locations of interest to filmmakers and photographers include the mighty Congo River, Pointe-Noire beaches, Loufoulakari Falls, and M’Bé historic village.
WHAT HOODLUM FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT PERMIT AND VISA REQUIREMENT WHEN FILMING IN CONGO BRAZZAVILLE
The Journalist Accreditation Permit serves as a film permit to shoot in public locations across the country. On arrival in the Congo, Congolese film fixer make application for a Journalist Accreditation Permit for each crew member. This allows crews to film at public locations across the country.
Congo has no specific location permitting system in place. Congolese film fixer negotiate all required permits based on the specific needs of each shoot. Additional permission is often required for shoots that require exclusive use of public space, traffic control, filming in markets, national parks, and drone filming.
Photography of government buildings, military installations, key infrastructure such as ports, train stations, and airports, and along border areas, is only allowed after all relevant authorities have given their permission. Penalties for illegally filming these locations may include fines, arrest and confiscated equipment.
FILM EQUIPMENT IMPORT PERMITS
Film equipment will have to be declared and cleared at the port of entry. Local Film fixers will require a list of the film equipment with values for customs.
WHAT HOODLUM FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE TALENT WHEN FILMING IN CONGO BRAZZAVILLE
Talent day rates and buyouts are reasonable and negotiable. There are no established casting facilities or talent agencies in the Congo, so all casting is done by local production houses.French is the official language. 62 local languages are spoken throughout the country.Congo’s largest ethnic groups include the Kongo, Teke, M’Bochi, and Sangha people. Congo is also home to Pygmy tribes. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad.
WHAT HOODLUM FILM FIXERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION WHEN FILMING IN CONGO BRAZZAVILLE
Transportation Infrastructure is very basic with most roads unpaved, in disrepair and impassable during the rainy seasons. Congolese film fixers will arrange the appropriate vehicles for these terrains.There is a train from Brazzaville to Pointe-Noire. Several international airlines service flights to Brazzaville. Domestic flights tend to be on the expensive side. Plan well ahead as some domestic flights are not available every day.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Brazzaville: