The Canon / Parallax Editorial Archive
Curated by Pedro Neves, Founder of Parallax
Mandabi
Directed by Ousmane Sembène
1968•1h 30m•NR•★ 7.4
Comedy / Drama
Synopsis
An unemployed, illiterate Muslim polygamist in Dakar receives a 25,000-franc money order from his nephew in Paris, but is ensnared in a nightmare labyrinth of corrupt post-colonial bureaucracy, predatory lawyers, and swindling neighbors just trying to cash it. Ousmane Sembène's satirical masterpiece, the first feature film ever made in an indigenous African language (Wolof).
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Mandabi
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Director Spotlight
Cinematic Profile
Ousmane Sembène
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Cast & Crew
DirectorOusmane Sembène
WriterOusmane Sembène
CinematographyPaul Soulignac
Principal Cast
Makhouredia GueyeIbrahim Dieng
Isseu NiangAram the Second Wife
Mustapha TureM'barka the Shopkeeper
Mouss DioufAbdu the Nephew
YS
Younousse SèyeMéty the First WifeCC
Christoph ColombWater SellerFS
Farba SarrMbaye Sarr the Business AgentSN
Serigne N'DiayesImanTechnical Specifications
Runtime1h 30m (90 mins)
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Collector Status
Not Yet Collected
Production Details
DirectorOusmane Sembène
LanguagesWolof, French
CountrySN, FR
StudioComptoir Français du Film Production • Filmi Domirev
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