Bamako details
| Format: | 15 DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Aissa Maiga, Maimouna Helene Diarra, Balla Habib Dembele, Djeneba Kone, Hamadoun Kassogue |
| Director: | Abderrahmane Sissako |
| Genres: | Drama, World Cinema - Italian |
| Studio: | FUSION MEDIA |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Bamako |
15 Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 1 hour 55 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 25 Jun 2007 |
| Main languages: | French, Bambara |
| Subtitles: | English |
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Most helpful review
potential african cinema classic
By a customer from hassocks,england , 30 Mar 2007[Highly rated reviewer]
there is no need to take much notice of the synopsis of this film;it has little to do with the personalities of the people mentioned-probably emphasized because of the breathtaking beauty of the woman involved;the film doesn't centre on any particular protagonist,but is instead a blistering indictment of the West's attitude towards and treatment of the African nations;forget this film if you are after an interpersonal relationship story-highly recommended if you are after some blistering politics- Was this review helpful to you?
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(15)a tragi-comic reality check?
By zimbaboy (65 reviews) from Cainscross , 09 May 2012Done in context, and with the depth of analysis the speakers are able to illuminate some of the deeper reasons for Africa's plight. The sub-plots are tragic, and sometimes extremely comical. The film comes close to parodying itself and Africa. I cannot see any conventional film-goer enjoying this at all. I liked it because I am interested.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Insightful counterpointing
By IlikewhatIlike (19 reviews) from Bourne End , 08 Sep 2009I watched this film expecting a stream of undergraduate left wing defamation of western imperialism and colonialism. What I saw was a far more balanced portrayal of life in a developing country where day to day lives of the small people are little affected by the clever debates of the ruling elites of their intelligentsia. Just like in South Africa, where the brightest indigenes have clambered onto the gravy train and steamed out of the station, platforms thronged with the same poor as before, so this showed the brightest and best arguing in a civilised and thoroughly decent way about whose fault it is that poor people are still poor, whilst sad lives are lived literally threading through the debates to no benefit. The irrelevance of the debates (because of their fruitlessness) was beautifully shown where a group of bored locals outside the wall disconnect a speaker, showing how uninteresting the whole prolonged argument has become. And the loftiness of the clever and impassioned rhetoric is counterpointed wonderfully by the sadness of the end of the film, showing that despite all the wonderful words real lives go on without benefit to the crowds left behind on the station platform.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Great Film
By BeccyMalloi (124 reviews) from Kersey, Suffolk , 11 Aug 2009This is such a cleverly written and directed film. It has a very realistic approach but at the same time it is juxtaposed with symbolic imagery and atmospheric camera shots. Before I watched it I assumed the plot would revolve around Mele and her family. However,though she is a central character in the film, the main focus seemed to be on the court case where the village were testifying against the the World Bank and the devastating effect it has had on the people of Africa.This is a really simple yet effective way of bringing to light just how much the West has crushed this continent and hindered its chances of beating poverty- something that's both sobering and poignant. As well as the little bits of symbolism dotted about that can both throw you and link parts of the film in such a clever way, there are some 'close up' scenes with various characters, like the group of men sitting under the speaker from the courtroom, the lady who runs thefabric- dying company and the lawyer represtenting the bank. They should show this film in schools to show just how much the West has destoyed this beautiful part of the world. Amazing.- Was this review helpful to you?
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An unusual film
By ghedgehog (26 reviews) from Milton Keynes , 20 Jul 2009I have to say this one struggled to hold my attention, in spite of my having a keen interest in international politics. And this is the second foreign language film I have seen recently where the volume of the original dialogue has been turned down so as to be virtually inaudible, presumably on the assumption that I will be content just to read the subtitles. If this is to be a new trend, then please scrap it NOW. No, I wouldn't have understood the French without the subtitles, but I like to hear what they're saying all the same.
Having said that though, this was a fascinating concept for a film, with the World Bank being put on trial and ordinary people being called as witnesses. And I liked the way the little personal sub-plots were interweaved into the main thread. Mele is indeed extremely beautiful and her sensuality pervades throughout.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Disappointed
By a customer from Cambridge , 05 Jun 2009I was looking forward to this film but was disappointed. The film does not really establish the purpose of the court. Slow moving but good insight into what the people think.- Was this review helpful to you?
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