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What's After the Movie?
Music drama

Félicité (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Félicité (2017) movie poster

Félicité is a 2017 music drama directed by Alain Gomis, starring Véro Tshanda Beya Mputu as Félicité, Papi Mpaka and Elbas Manuana. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and earned $265,495 worldwide. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$265.5K
Echo Score
80
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Félicité (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 9m (129 min)
Director
Alain Gomis
Genres
Drama , Music
Original language
Lingala
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Félicité About?

The premise of Félicité without spoilers.

A singer in Kinshasa, Congo, is devastated when her teenage son is seriously injured and requires immediate surgery. To afford the expensive medical care, Félicité desperately seeks help, turning to a regular at her music club, Tabu. As she struggles to raise the money, she finds unexpected comfort and an evolving connection with him, navigating a difficult situation with determination and resilience.

Félicité Themes & Keywords

· 25 tags
  • one word title
  • democratic republic of the congo
  • kinshasa
  • single mother
  • female singer
  • drunkenness
  • mob violence
  • choir
  • okapi
  • choir singing
  • bar fight
  • fridge failure
+13 more
  • appliance repair
  • mother son relationship
  • wounded son
  • motherhood
  • expensive operation
  • lack of money
  • debt collection
  • broken leg
  • leg amputation
  • short haired woman
  • 2010s
  • character name in title
  • title spoken by character
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Cast & crew

Félicité Cast & Characters

Véro Tshanda Beya Mputu leads the cast as Félicité, with Papi Mpaka as Tabu and Elbas Manuana as Luisant. Directed by Alain Gomis; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Félicité

· 6 more
From the director

More from Alain Gomis

More films directed by Alain Gomis, best-rated first: Rewind & Play, Today, Andalucia and Little Light.

Full filmography
Ratings

Félicité Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Félicité 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).

80 /100

Félicité Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Félicité stands out for its artful direction and sensory immersion, grounding a simple narrative in a richly textured urban environment. Critics highlighted the film’s multifaceted visual style and robust musical design, noting its compelling though occasionally opaque structure and the raw authenticity of its amateur cast. While the storyline has been described as straightforward yet sometimes choppy or overlong, the film maintains a resonant emotional core through precise performances. The net effect is a distinctive cinematic experience that balances raw realism with poetic flourishes.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of Art & Craft, Félicité excels with a dynamic visual approach and inventive framing that bring Kinshasa to life. Reviewers praised the handheld camera work and multifaceted cinematic style, noting exquisite flourishes alongside a raw depiction of urban textures. While some found the formal complexity occasionally overwhelming, the overall direction and cinematography remain a standout element.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the film benefits from authentic performances and palpable on-screen chemistry. Critics noted the dignified lead portrayal and the raw passion of the amateur cast, lending emotional credibility throughout. Though character arcs are rooted in simplicity, the nuanced emotional resonance effectively anchors the film’s human dimension.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of Story & Flow, Félicité presents a straightforward narrative that sometimes feels overlong and opaque. Observers pointed to occasional pacing issues and narrative shortcuts that undercut coherence. However, the emotional stakes remain clear, and the film’s simple plot structure allows viewers to focus on its atmospheric and thematic depth despite intermittent choppiness.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the film delivers a compelling blend of music, sound design, and visual poetry. Critics highlighted the rich musicality intertwined with grotty realism, creating a soulful and sometimes disturbing tapestry. The cohesive audio-visual synergy enhances immersion, though the occasional tonal shifts can momentarily disrupt the sensory flow.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, Félicité offers a distinctive atmosphere and nuanced performances that invite repeat viewings. The rich visual style and resonant soundtrack reveal new details on subsequent watches. However, the film’s deliberate pacing and occasional narrative opacity may limit its appeal for some viewers seeking a more streamlined experience. Overall, it maintains moderate replay value.

Box office

Félicité Box Office

Félicité grossed $265,495 worldwide. $12,433 came from the US and Canada and $253,062 (95%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$265.5K

US & Canada
$12.4K
International
$253.1K
US & Canada 5% Rest of the world 95%
Videos

Félicité Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Félicité.

FELICITE Trailer eng Sub

Seen Félicité?

FAQ

Félicité FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Félicité, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Félicité?

Félicité runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).

When was Félicité released?

Félicité was released on October 27, 2017.

Who directed Félicité?

Félicité was directed by Alain Gomis.

More films by Alain Gomis

Who is in the cast of Félicité?

Félicité stars Véro Tshanda Beya Mputu as Félicité, Papi Mpaka as Tabu and Elbas Manuana as Luisant, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Félicité make at the box office?

Félicité grossed $265,495 worldwide ($12,433 domestic, $253,062 international).

How is Félicité rated?

Félicité has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Does Félicité have a post-credit scene?

No. Félicité has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Félicité in?

The original language of Félicité is Lingala.

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