Moolaade
Moolaade, a Film by Ousmane Sembene
Review of Moolaade, a film by Ousmane Sembene.
This controversial film by the Senegalese director challenges notions of patriarchy and the role of women in African society.
Moolaade was the winner of the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.
Moolaade, a Film by Ousmane Sembene
Review of the film Moolaade by Ousmane Sembene
Moolaade
Sanctuary
The word "Moolaade" means "sanctuary". Coll ties a piece of string across the entrance to her compound, which means that no one may cross the threshold without her permission.
The girls' mothers and various other villagers are unable to enter. Thus, the girls are safe as long as they remain in the compound, while a huge conflict rages in the village.
Coll herself has been "cut". Although she has had a number of pregnancies, only one of her children survived. Thus, she has direct personal experience of the health problems relating to mutilation.
The Use of Religion
Religion Is Used to Manipulate /Women
In many communities, religion and spirituality are used to manipulate and control women. In this case, it is Islam, but in other communities, Christianity and even traditional African spirituality are used in the same way.
In Moolaade, the local belief is that Islam requires women to be mutilated. However, the women later discover that this is not the case. It is not a requirement of Islam; rather, the ritual is just a way of controlling women. The fact that women believe it is a requirement of Islam makes them more willing to submit their daughters to this treatment.
The Role of Patriarchy
The Role of Patriarchy in Moolade
Moolade depicts in intimate detail how patriarchy functions in a rural African village.
For example, the running of Coll's household is dictated by her husband's elder brother. We learn that in the past, he ordered Coll's husband to take a third wife because he was too fond of Coll.
Coll's daughter Amasatou is betrothed to Ibrahima, a local young man who is off studying abroad. His father declares "I would never have agreed to the betrothal if I had known that she had not been 'cut'".
Ibrahima wants to marry Amasatou, and tells his father, "I love you and I respect you, but who I marry is my own business". This greatly offends his father, because according to the tradition, Ibrahima should do as he is told - as did Coll's husband.
The ancestors are depicted as evil spirits who aim to enforce the status quo, but who cannot cross the threshold into the compound.
Trailer for Moolaade - The Women Stand up to Male Domination
In this clip from Moolade, the women of the village stand up to male domination and reject the practice of "cutting".
Another Moolaade Trailer
Ousmane Sembene
Ousmane Sembene, Director of Moolaade
Sengalese director Ousmane Sembene was one of the most respected filmmakers in African cinema. The fact that he made Moolaade when in his eighties speaks to his energy and his commitment to African film, and to challenging injustice.
At a screening at the BFI in London, Sembene stated that he planned to have Moolaade translated into many local African languages. He made this film for the rural people living in the villages - not for more sophisticated urban dwellers.
More Films by Ousmane Sembene
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