Review – OUAGA FILM LAB

Zinder

The wind-swept town of Zinder in the heart of the Sahel region of Niger is a place travellers only pass through.
Kara-Kara, the former lepers’ quarter, is the pariahs’ district of this town. Gangs referred to as the “Palais” have sprung up in this area and are spreading their influence throughout the town. Obsessed by a culture of bodybuilding and violence, the gang members induce fear in the population.

Outside the moments spent together in a body-building camp, some of them follow the path that will lead them to a life of crime and prison or a violent death, others strive to pull themselves out of the rut they find themselves in. This is the case for Siniya, Bawo and Ramsess, whom the director, originally from Zinder, has succeeded in filming up close to reveal to us their survival strategies. By following them in their daily lives divided between their gang, their family and fending for themselves, she gives us a sense of their desire to break free from the cycle of violence which has built their identities. (andanafilms)

Official selection at Visions du Réel 2021 (Switzerland), CPH:DOX (Denmark), DOK.FEST (Germany), Encounters and Durban IFF (South Africa), MoMI (United States), Ladiana Foundation Award…

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Children Nightcare

Synopsis

In the courtyard of Mrs. Coda, around 8 pm, Odile and Farida come in, holding hands of their children. They are prostitutes who entrust their kids to this old lady before going to the “Black”, a festive street that never sleeps. Odile, Farida and some of their comrades navigate from bar to bar, from man to man. In the early morning, when the “Black” starts to empty, Odile and Farida pick up their children. Once at home, tired, they rest. When they wake up, they take us in the intimacy of their life as mothers, between domestic activities, caring for children and coquetry. As a routine, at night, the “Black” recalls its faithful while Odile drops her child in the night-care.

Selection at the Berlinale 2021 (Forum section), Visions du Réel (Switzerland), Etats généraux du film documentaire de Lussas (France)

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Etincelles

Synopsis

In a small village in Niger, part of the animist population has recently converted either to Islam or to Christianity. These religions have created division in the village. The hearts of people have hardened through this extremism.

National Road N°1 is the dividing line. One night, in November 2009, a sermon organized by radical Muslims caused sparks, crystallizing tension and permanent distrust on both sides of the road.

In 2016, with the election of a new leader approaching, the village must confront its past to decide its future. I come back to this place and although I am a Christian, I decided to build my house on the other side of the road, to begin the reconstruction of a dialogue between people.

Selected for FESPACO 2019, Etats généraux du film documentaire de Lussas (France), Festival du film documentaire de St Louis (Senegal), Ciné Droit Libre (Burkina), Koudougou Doc (Burkina), Nokouè d’argent award at Lagunimages (Benin)

Duga, The scavengers

Synopsis

As he was getting ready to enjoy this beautiful morning, the news was broken to him: “Pierre has just passed away! He must be locally buried as soon as possible. We can’t afford to transfer the body to his village.”

His world is instantly turned upside down. The true human nature reveals itself to Rasmané. Everywhere, the doors close. At the church, he is told, “Pierre was not baptized. No Chris- tian burial for him!”. At the mosque, they reply: “Pierre, this is a Christian name! It’s a sin to bury a non-Muslim.”

What to do with this body that no one wants to take? How can we deny to a human being this last gesture of charity, under the pretext of not belonging to any religious community?

Selected for FESPACO 2019 and won the Signis award and the UEMOA award.

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