: Goldsmith returns to the Central African Republic to interview Bokassa’s wives, some of his children, and legal figures from his trial.
"" (1990)—originally titled Echos aus einem düsteren Reich or Echoes from a Somber Empire —is a haunting documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog . The film explores the legacy of Jean-Bédel Bokassa , the self-proclaimed emperor of the Central African Republic known for his extreme megalomania and allegations of cannibalism . Core Narrative Echi da un mondo oscuro [360p] (1990)
: True to Herzog’s style, the documentary is punctuated by bizarre, symbolic scenes, such as thousands of crabs swarming a beach and a chimpanzee smoking a cigarette in the ruins of the emperor's private zoo. Echoes From a Somber Empire - IFC Center : Goldsmith returns to the Central African Republic
Unlike many Herzog films, this one lacks his signature narration, instead following , a journalist who was once imprisoned and nearly beaten to death by Bokassa. Core Narrative : True to Herzog’s style, the
: The film features archival footage of Bokassa’s lavish, Napoleon-inspired coronation and visits chilling sites, including the palace's oversized refrigerators where human remains were allegedly stored.