tooncox

In the first half of the 20th century, La Louvière was a prosperous mining town in Belgium. Today, more than three decades after the closing of the last mine, this same place is generally known as a grim town famous for its high unemployment rates. Still, to those who are willing to look beyond the statistics, this town reveals its beauty. In particular, this documentary shows a multicultural and convivial dream come true. The two main protagonists (see picture) mama Jeanne from Congo and Pierre (see picture) from France mount a terril (slag heap) and discover the beauty of their habitat. Comming from the Congo Mama mounts the terril in a typical African dress and high heels. The little mountain reminds her of Congo. At the summit treats the local population to blazed bananas and Chicken Moambe. The party at the summit depicts well the diversity of this town with the Africans to be the latest immigrants after the Italians, the Turks. Towards the end they are all surprised by the resurrection of singer Claude François, the French singing legend who passed away in an accident just a few years after La Louvière's last mine was closed down.