With support of FNB Foundation and French Institute, AfricAvenir and the French
Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) invite audiences to a double screening of
Timbuktu on 21 July at 18h30, and 22 July, at 18h30. Screenings will
be held at the FNCC in Windhoek.
AfricAvenir’s curator Hans-Christian Mahnke comments, “Timbuktu is an honest,
poetic, and brilliant yet harsh description of the invasion of Timbuktu by religious
fundamentalists. Sissako though his cinematic poetry shows the effects on the
people, who try to carry on with their life under the new rulers. In beautiful film-
language, poetically, Sissako shows the power of resistance by and dignity of the
inhabitants of Timbuktu and the absurd contradictions but also the humanness of the
invaders. Despite the despair, hope in a world of cruelty is possible.’
Film details
Director: Abderrahmane Sissako
Language: French/Arabic with English subtitles.
Country: Mauritania/France
Synopsis:
Not far from Timbuktu, now ruled by religious fundamentalists, Kidane lives
peacefully in the dunes with his wife Satima, his daughter Toya, and Issan, their
twelve-year-old shepherd. In town, the inhabitants suffer, powerless, from the
regime of terror imposed by the Jihadists determined to control their faith. Music,
laughter, cigarettes and even soccer have been banned. Women have become
shadows but resist with dignity. Every day, the new improvised courts issue tragic
and absurd sentences. Kidane and his family seem to be spared the chaos that
prevails in Timbuktu. But their destiny changes when Kidane accidentally kills
Amadou, the fisherman who slaughtered his beloved cow. He now has to face the
new laws of the foreign occupants.
AfricAvenir’s film series African Perspectives is supported by AfriCine, FNB
Foundation, Turipambe Design, Goethe-Centre Windhoek, FNCC and the Mahnke
family.
Contact AfricAvenir Windhoek at: africavenir.whk@googlemail.com
Screening entrance fee: N$30
