This sometimes harrowing, often delightful drama stands with his (Sembène) most compassionate, colorful, and artfully filmed works.
90
The New RepublicStanley Kauffmann
The New RepublicStanley Kauffmann
Sembène's love of his people and his commitment to the richness that underlies the poverty of their condition have always made his films gems of truth, as they do once again here.
90
VarietyScott Foundas
VarietyScott Foundas
This richly textured parable feels every inch the work of a master.
90
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
This has to be the most richly entertaining movie anyone has ever made on the subject of female genital mutilation.
88
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Fatoumata Coulibaly's peformance is striking. She plays her character with a mixture of determination and compassion.
88
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
It's a deceptively simple tale that tackles, serenely and with surprising humor, issues of gender, power, custom and change.
60
The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt
The Hollywood ReporterKirk Honeycutt
As drama the film mostly serves to illustrate the two sides of this crucial social debate in Africa.
40
Film ThreatPhil Hall
Film ThreatPhil Hall
Achieves the impossible in taking a genuine socio-political tragedy and turning it into an anvil drama which will fray the patience of the most sympathetic audiences.