Samba Traore

Samba grew up in a village, but left to find work in the big city. When he returns wealthy and marries the most beautiful girl in the village, everyone is very happy for him. But how did he make all his money? Nobody cares at first, and he isn't telling; he builds a lovely new house, sets himself up in business, and his wife becomes pregnant - everything is going well for him. The audience knows where he got the money from, however, and know also that the police are after him. The curiousity which has been aroused behind his back breaks out into the open when he refuses to accompany his wife into the city when she has labour complications; instead he runs off into the countryside.

This film has been critically compared to Hitchcock, though its African setting makes it quite different in that respect at least. There is a great feeling of life within this movie, coming both from the naturalistic performances (many of the actors are non-professionals), and from the setting, with the action taking place almost totally outdoors. Alongside the film's moral dilemma, it is humorous and fun.

Films from Burkina Faso are not common; since it might appear rather clichéd to tell you to go and see it for the sake of something different, you should go and see it instead because it is good.

Review by Iain Lang
Taken from EUFS Programme 1994-95