Director : Ousmane Sembène
Country : Senegal
Release Date : 2004
Duration : 120 mins
Language : French and Bambara
Subtitles : Yes
WINNER : UN CERTAIN REGARD – 2004 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
Set in a small African village, four young girls who face a ritual “purification” flee to the household of Colle’ Ardo Gallo Sy, a strong-willed woman who has managed to shield her own teenage daughter from mutilation. Colle’ invokes the time-honoured custom of moolaadé (sanctuary) to protect the fugitives. Tension mounts as the ensuing stand-off pits Colle’ against a village traditionalists (both male and female) and endangers the prospective marriage of her daughter to the heir-apparent to the tribal throne.
“Thrilling and alive and far more entertaining and exciting and easy to watch than just about any message movie you have ever seen … a cinematic triumph of the highest order.” (Tim Brayton – Antagony & Ecstasy)