Plot
A cattle herder and his family who reside in the dunes of Timbuktu find their quiet lives -- which are typically free of the Jihadists determined to control their faith -- abruptly disturbed.
Release Year: 2014
Rating: 7.3/10 (969 voted)
Critic's Score: 83/100
Director: Abderrahmane Sissako
Stars: Ibrahim Ahmed, Abel Jafri, Toulou Kiki
Storyline
Not far from the ancient Malian city of Timbuktu, proud cattle herder Kidane (Ibrahim Ahmed aka Pino) lives peacefully in the dunes with his wife Satima (Toulou Kiki), his daughter Toya (Layla Walet Mohamed), and Issan (Mehdi Ag Mohamed), their twelve-year-old shepherd. In town, the people suffer, powerless, from the regime of terror imposed by the Jihadists determined to control their faith. Music, laughter, cigarettes, even soccer have been banned. The women have become shadows but resist with dignity. Every day, the new improvised courts issue tragic and absurd sentences. Kidane and his family are being spared the chaos that prevails in Timbuktu. But their destiny changes abruptly.
Writers: Abderrahmane Sissako, Kessen Tall
Cast: Ibrahim Ahmed -
Kidane
(as Ibrahim Ahmed dit Pino)
Abel Jafri -
Abdelkerim
Toulou Kiki -
Satima
Layla Walet Mohamed -
Toya
Mehdi A.G. Mohamed -
Issan
Hichem Yacoubi -
Djihadiste
Kettly Noël -
Zabou
Fatoumata Diawara -
La chanteuse
Adel Mahmoud Cherif -
L'Imam
Salem Dendou -
Le chef djihadiste
Mamby Kamissoko -
Djihadiste
Yoro Diakité -
Djihadiste
Cheik A.G. Emakni -
Omar
Zikra Oualet Moussa -
Tina
Weli Cleib -
Juge
Trivia:
First ever submission of Mauritania to the best foreign language film category of the Academy Awards. See more »
User Review
Author:
Rating: 10/10
I saw many excellent films at The Toronto Film Festival. This one
really stayed with me. I am not a person who can tolerate visually
violent movies and this move respected me as an audience member. I
cannot remember a movie with more captivating images which resonated,
characters I continue to think about and visuals which prompted me to
reconsider my relationship with history and other nations as well as
with myself. That sounds kind of major. Suffice to say that I recommend
this movie to anyone who would like an excellent story simply told
which is both moving and a window on another world. The story is about
creeping fascism and the way in which human beings resist heroically
inroads against them which demean them. Despite the heavy subject
matter, I found this film incredibly uplifting. This is a rare
opportunity to see a film which depicts the complicated and sometimes
frightening world we live in but with a sense of hope.
I tend to be a rom-com type. It surprised me to relish a film about
war. It is not a film without heartache. It is a film which is both
inspired and is inspiring. Most of the lead characters are not
professional actors. This shocked me. I cry to remember some scenes,
but with gratitude!
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