La Vie Est Belle - California Newsreel

Educational Streaming

Colleges, Universities, Government Agencies, Hospitals and Corporations

Streaming licenses for institutional use—ideal for education, training, and research.

1-Year Single Campus Academic Streaming $200.00

One year of embeddable streaming access for a single institution. Includes captioning support, and easy LMS integration. Perfect for courses, workshops, and staff development.

3-Year Single Campus Academic Streaming $350.00

Three years of embeddable streaming access for a single institution. Includes captioning support, and easy LMS integration. Ideal for recurring curriculum use and long-term academic programming.

Life-of-the-File-Format Digital Site License (DSL) $650.00

Includes downloadable .mp4 video and .srt caption files. Permits secure, password-protected streaming via the licensing institution’s distance learning or internal streaming platform for students, faculty, staff, and on-campus researchers. Also includes 5 years of embeddable streaming. Perfect for long-term archiving and flexible institutional access.

Add a DVD to Any License (when available) $50.00

Available to U.S. licensees only. Shipping via USPS Priority Mail and California sales tax (for California customers) will be calculated at checkout.

Community Screening

Short-term use for small groups, organizations, or high school classes (under 100 participants-where no admission is charged).

Flexible options for educators, facilitators, and non-commercial screenings.

7-Day On-Demand Group Rental $75.00

Streamed via a secure screening page to a single purchaser. For use in a real-time, synchronous group setting, either in person or virtual. Ideal a single discussion, classroom session, or community gathering.

30-Day On-Demand Group Rental $100.00

Streamed via Newsreel.org for use by a single group of up to 100 participants for 30 days. A moderator or instructor will receive a secure URL and password to share with students. Ideal for high school and non-college classes.

Single Course Rental (15 weeks) $150.00

Streamed via Newsreel.org for use by a single course or group of up to 100 participants over a 15-week academic term. A moderator or instructor will receive a secure URL and password to share with students. Ideal for high school and non-college classes.

Add a DVD to Any License (when available) $50.00

Available to U.S. licensees only. Shipping via USPS Priority Mail and California sales tax (for California customers) will be calculated at checkout.

Home Viewing

48-hour personal streaming rental for in-home use only.

For individuals without institutional access.

Home Viewing Rental $20.00

Enjoy a 48-hour streaming rental, beginning at checkout, available through Newsreel.org for personal, at-home use only.

Home viewing is offered as a courtesy for individuals without institutional access. We encourage you to check with your local public library, college campus, or community organization to see if they already hold a viewing license.

By selecting this option, you agree not to show the film in any public, group, or classroom setting.

Add a DVD to Any License (when available) $50.00

Available to U.S. licensees only. Shipping via USPS Priority Mail and California sales tax (for California customers) will be calculated at checkout.

La Vie est Belle takes us inside the vibrant music scene of Kinshasa, the Congo's exhilarating and exasperating capital whose back alleys and clubs pulsate to the beat of some of the most influential music in the world. The film, starring Soukous music legend Papa Wemba, tells the "rags to riches" story of a poor country musician who seeks fame in the city's vibrant music industry. This lively farce illustrates the Congolese faith in Systeme-D or debrouillardise, fending for yourself to survive in the face of overwhelming obstacles. If there is a commercial cinema in Africa's future, then La Vie est Belle may be one of its precursors.

A genial musical offering and insightful look at Zaire.
-- New York Times

"Joyful entertainment!...Papa Wemba has the appeal of a young Harry Belafonte."
-- Variety

"Like Black Orpheus, La Vie Est Belle is a fairy tale embellished by joyous music and phantasmagorical images"
-- Village Voice

Ways to Watch

Educational Streaming

Colleges, Universities, Government Agencies, Hospitals and Corporations.

Community Screening

Short-term use for small groups, organizations, or high school classes (under 100 participants, where no admission is charged).

Home Viewing

48-hour, personal rental for in-home use only, restrictions apply