A cri de coeur from Timbuktu to here, director-co-writer Sissako’s vibrant, graceful film depicts a community and family fraying and fracturing-though also finding moments of joy and fun-under forced occupation. Set during the jihadist takeover of northern Mali in 2012, the story focuses on the mild-mannered herdsman Kidane, who runs afoul of the rebels when his beloved cow, affectionately named “GPS,” goes astray. But everyone suffers as standard village modes of restitution and punishment clash with the stricter edicts and gun-crazy bullying of the jihadis. While Timbuktu has the piercing tragedy of Kidane and his loving family at its heart, there is humor and ingenuity in its portrait of other villagers’ small rebellions: a fishmonger’s refusal to wear gloves, a trio singing forbidden music, young men playing soccer with an imaginary ball. Forced to shoot in neighboring Mauritania due to unsafe conditions in Mali, Sissako (Bamako; Life on Earth, MVFF 1998) remains deeply committed to portraying the plight and fortitude of his people with a kaleidoscopic and singularly humane vision.
WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF FRANCE IN SAN FRANCISCO AND THE FRENCH AMERICAN CULTURAL SOCIETY AND THE INSTITUT FRANCAIS
IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE MUSEUM OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA
Sponsored by
