A United Souls Creation Featured on Screen in Le Cercle: Claire Diao Honors Patrice Lumumba

On September 27, during the show Le Cercle hosted by Lily Bloom, film critic and CEO of Sudu Connexion, Claire Diao, appeared wearing a t-shirt featuring Patrice Lumumba. This t-shirt, the first design created by Marie-Claire Laffaire for United Souls, highlights the piercing gaze of Lumumba, a hero and martyr of African independence movements.

This gaze, captured from a historically significant photograph, is that of a man about to be deported and assassinated, yet still conveying a message to the Congolese people: "I may have come too early to fight against a vast international conspiracy, but the struggle continues." Marie-Claire Laffaire has masterfully captured the essence of this historical moment with a profound sense of perspective and outstanding artistic sensitivity.

Lumumba embodied the spirit of resistance, not only against colonization but also against racial divisions, presenting himself primarily as a human being confronting colonial powers. The labels "hero," "martyr," and "incorruptible" still resonate in people’s minds. Thanks to Claire Diao, this iconic figure once again found space in the public eye, on a show dedicated to cinema enthusiasts.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Claire Diao for her support of United Souls and her commitment to making visible the great figures of the fight for human dignity. By wearing this t-shirt, she helps promote the legacy of Patrice Lumumba and reminds us that the fight for independence and justice is still ongoing.

Sudu Connexion: Giving Visibility to Pan-African Films
In addition to her dedication to Pan-African cinema through Awotele, Claire Diao heads Sudu Connexion, a film distribution company for African and diaspora films. Founded in 2016, Sudu Connexion is committed to distributing films produced on the fringes of the mainstream industry, giving them the visibility they deserve.

With a network of over 1,000 festivals worldwide, Sudu Connexion's films are regularly selected for major international festivals and aired on prestigious channels and platforms such as Arte, Canal+, and TV5 Monde, among others. To date, six filmmakers from the Sudu Connexion catalog have represented their films at the Oscars, a true milestone for Pan-African cinema.

Through her passion and professionalism, Claire Diao continues to give a voice and an international stage to African filmmakers. We are proud to collaborate with individuals like Claire, who, through their work, uphold the values we champion at United Souls.

Watch Le Cercle Replay
Learn more about Sudu Film: https://www.sudu.film/