Next Up in SF's international Film Festival: Moolaade, Oct. 23

October 17, 2012

Moolaade (2004)

Tuesday, October 23: 6:15 p.m. in E-Auditorium
Director: Ousmane Sembene
Language: Bambara
Introduction by: Dr. Sarah Cervone, Assistant Adjunct Professor, Humanities & Foreign Languages

A group of women stand up for their rights against the traditions of their village.

Storyline: The action is set in a small African village, where four young girls facing ritual "purification" flee to the household of Collé Ardo Gallo Sy, a strong-willed woman who has managed to shield her own teenage daughter from mutilation. Collé invokes the time-honored custom of moolaadé (sanctuary) to protect the fugitives, and tension mounts as the ensuing stand-off pits Collé against village traditionalists (both male and female) and endangers the prospective marriage of her daughter to the heir-apparent to the tribal throne. (New Yorker Films)

Winner, six film festival awards, including:

  • Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, Cannes Film Festival (2004)
  • Un Certain Regard Award, Cannes Film Festival (2004)

Other Recommended Films:

  • The Amazing Grace (Nigeria) 2006
  • Tsotsi (South Africa) 2005
  • The Silence of the Palace (Tunisia) 1994
  • The Gods Must be Crazy (South Africa) 1980
  • Xala (Senegal) 1977
  • Touki Bouki (Senegal) 1973
  • Black Girl (Senegal/France) 1966