FINYE - THE WIND

Souleyman Cissé, Mali 1982, 100 Min., OV with English subs

Curated by AFRIKAMERA

AFRIKAMERA presents Finye (The Wind), a work of social realism with echoes of Romeo and Juliet that takes a critical look at old and modern values by addressing the generation gap in post-colonial West Africa. Batrou, the pot-smoking daughter of a provincial military governor, loves her fellow student Bah, a descendent of one of Mali's former chiefs. Their families are against the union and rail against Batrou and Bah's increasing involvement in student strikes against the corrupt government. When the governor cracks down, Bah is deported. Yet Bah's grandfather, who implores his ancestors to secure his grandson's release, calls out to these angry young people: "You are the future!" (AK)