Director

Souleymane Cissé

Cast list

Dounamba Dany Coulibaly

Fanta Diabate

Omou Diarra

Balla Moussa Keita

Mamoulou Sanogo

Ismaila Sarr

Credits

Screenplay by Souleymane Cissé

Synopsis

This film centers on a young, mute girl, Tenin, who is sexually assaulted, becomes pregnant, and has a child.  Her father attempts to disown her over this decision, while her mother tries to ease the conflict.  Her rapist, who at first remains a part of Tenin’s life, also rejects her, leaving Tenin confused, traumatized, and wholly alone.  The film also explores the Malian socioeconomic situation, and the overall treatment of women.

Onyedika Achilike, Den Muso, MediAfritiQ (online magazine)

Den Muso, Celuloidbreakfast (blog)

Souleymane Cissé, Encyclopedia.com (online database)

Academic Articles

The Women’s Companion to International Film by Annette Kuhn and Susannah Radstone. University of California Press, 1990, pp. 85

Questioning African Cinema: Conversations with Filmmakers by Nwachukwu Frank Ukadike. U of Minnesota Press, 2002, pp. 19-20 (book)