Best Friend Forever has boarded Ramata-Toulaye Sy’s debut feature “Banel & Adama,” a lushly lensed Senegalese female emancipation drama. Now in post, the movie is expected to have its world premiere later this year.
‘Banel & Adama’ is set a remote village of Northern Senegal where Banel and Adama are fiercely in love. Longing for a home of their own, they have decided to live apart from their families. When Adama refuses his blood duty as future chief and informs the village council of his intentions, the whole community is disrupted and chaos ensues.
Sy studied at France’s prestigious film school La Femis and previously directed the short film “Astel” which played at Toronto, New Directors/New Films and Clermont, where it won the Special Jury award, among 80 festivals to date. Ramata, meanwhile, previously co-wrote “Our Lady of the Nil” which played at Toronto, and “Sibel” which played at Locarno and Toronto.
‘Banel & Adama’ is set a remote village of Northern Senegal where Banel and Adama are fiercely in love. Longing for a home of their own, they have decided to live apart from their families. When Adama refuses his blood duty as future chief and informs the village council of his intentions, the whole community is disrupted and chaos ensues.
Sy studied at France’s prestigious film school La Femis and previously directed the short film “Astel” which played at Toronto, New Directors/New Films and Clermont, where it won the Special Jury award, among 80 festivals to date. Ramata, meanwhile, previously co-wrote “Our Lady of the Nil” which played at Toronto, and “Sibel” which played at Locarno and Toronto.
- 2/17/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
A real-life narrative that's provided many-a-filmmaker with inspiration, many we've covered on this blog; most recently, Senegalese filmmaker Moussa Touré’s "La Pirogue" ("The Pirogue"): the potentially deadly journey by sea that countless refugees make to enter Europe, illegally by boats that can be small, light, flat-bottomed and only hold a few people at a time, and are certainly not meant for long distance travel. These men (typically) often have to save up money to pay for the ride, which can be pricey, all in an effort to seek better lives for themselves. Some don't make it all the way to their...
- 11/18/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Moussa Touré's 'La Pirogue' is Now Available on VOD Courtesy of ArtMattan Films & ReelHouse. See It!
ArtMattan Films has announced that, following a successful North American theatrical run in over 30 different markets in the USA and Canada, Moussa Touré's epic tale of survival at any cost, "La Pirogue," is now available on VOD via the new online streaming platform www.reelhouse.org. The film, which made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last year (in the Un Certain Regard section), is a moving story of a group of Senegalese men who set off for Europe on a simple fishing boat, hoping for a better life. Baye Laye is the captain of a fishing pirogue who dreams of earning a better living for his family. When he...
- 7/9/2014
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Argentine director Pablo Trapero to preside over Un Certain Regard; actress-director Nicole Garcia to head Camera d’Or jury.
Just days before the launch of the Cannes Film Festival (May 14-25), two more juries have been revealed.
As previously announced, Argentine director Pablo Trapero will preside over the five-member jury, which will also include:
Peter Becker, President of The Criterion Collection (Us)
Maria Bonnevie, actress (Norway / Sweden)
Géraldine Pailhas, actress (France)
Moussa Touré, director, scriptwriter, producer (Sénégal)
Bonnevie is best known for her roles in I Am Dina (2002) and The 13th Warrior (1999), and will next be seen in Susanne Bier’s En Chance Til.
Pailhas is best known for Don Juan DeMarco (1994), Palme d’Or nominee Jeune & Jolie (2013) and The Returned (2004)
The 20 films taking part in Un Certain Regard will be screened in the Debussy Theatre from May 15-23. The opening film will be Party Girl by Marie Amachoukeli, Claire Burger and Samuel Théis, a debut movie...
Just days before the launch of the Cannes Film Festival (May 14-25), two more juries have been revealed.
As previously announced, Argentine director Pablo Trapero will preside over the five-member jury, which will also include:
Peter Becker, President of The Criterion Collection (Us)
Maria Bonnevie, actress (Norway / Sweden)
Géraldine Pailhas, actress (France)
Moussa Touré, director, scriptwriter, producer (Sénégal)
Bonnevie is best known for her roles in I Am Dina (2002) and The 13th Warrior (1999), and will next be seen in Susanne Bier’s En Chance Til.
Pailhas is best known for Don Juan DeMarco (1994), Palme d’Or nominee Jeune & Jolie (2013) and The Returned (2004)
The 20 films taking part in Un Certain Regard will be screened in the Debussy Theatre from May 15-23. The opening film will be Party Girl by Marie Amachoukeli, Claire Burger and Samuel Théis, a debut movie...
- 5/11/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Directors Pablo Trapero and Nicole Garcia will lead two juries composed of six men and six women in the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard and Camera d'Or competitions, festival organizers announced on Sunday. The Un Certain Regard jury, which will judge the 20 films in competition in that section, is headed by Argentinian director Pablo Trapero (“White Elephant,” “Carancho”) and also includes Criterion Collection president Peter Becker, actresses Maria Bonnevie (“I Am Dina”) and Géraldine Pailhas (“Don Juan DeMarco”) and Senegalese writer-director Moussa Touré (“La Pirogue”). The films they will consider include Ryan Gosling's “Lost River,” “Ned Benson's “The Disappearance.
- 5/11/2014
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Despite grainy projections and distorted sound, Ouagadougou's cinemas are packed as 20 of over 100 films being screened compete for the Etalon d'Or
• Watch clips from our pick of the films below
Ouagadougou isn't the first place that comes to mind when one considers the glitzy world of movies, yet Burkina Faso's capital has hosted the pan-African film festival Fespaco for more than 40 years and showcases some of the best talent on the continent. Every two years, the streets of Ouaga, as the city is known, liven up to the beat of djembe drums as thousands of film fans fill the city's maquis (open air barbecues) and exchange silver-screen banter with the Ouagadoulais.
The film projections are often grainy and the sound distorted, yet the cinemas are packed. And this year, Fespaco, which runs until 2 March, is something different – a film festival with a conscience. The theme is African cinema and public policy,...
• Watch clips from our pick of the films below
Ouagadougou isn't the first place that comes to mind when one considers the glitzy world of movies, yet Burkina Faso's capital has hosted the pan-African film festival Fespaco for more than 40 years and showcases some of the best talent on the continent. Every two years, the streets of Ouaga, as the city is known, liven up to the beat of djembe drums as thousands of film fans fill the city's maquis (open air barbecues) and exchange silver-screen banter with the Ouagadoulais.
The film projections are often grainy and the sound distorted, yet the cinemas are packed. And this year, Fespaco, which runs until 2 March, is something different – a film festival with a conscience. The theme is African cinema and public policy,...
- 3/1/2013
- by Misha Hussain
- The Guardian - Film News
While catching up on my Fespaco 2013 clippings from around the web, I found this on Senegalese news website Leral.net (I'm translating using Google, so it's probably a few words off): After the screening of "La Pirogue", Moussa Touré announced his new film "Le Joola." "I'm putting together a new film about Le Joola; this 9-year old tragedy has affected all Senegalese people. This is what I'm working on. But also, I have a film project "The summit of the mountain" and will be shot in Ethiopia, Benin, Burkina Faso and probably Cape Verde. This is a love story between two people," said Moussa Touré. This is...
- 2/27/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
A vast expanse of ocean. A small boat, bobbing with uncertainty amongst looming waves. It’s an image that’s been created many times in many iterations across the cinema landscape - in Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat, in The Perfect Storm, more recently in Ang Lee’s opus Life of Pi. And now, also, in Senegalese director Moussa Touré’s latest film, La Pirogue. One of the two gala screenings at the 20th edition of the African Diaspora International Film Festival (Adiff), its Us premiere last fall, La Pirogue is Touré’s third film in twenty years and, much like his sophomore effort Tgv (1998), it is a film about survival, a distinct sort of...
- 1/23/2013
- by Zeba Blay
- ShadowAndAct
A reminder for our readers in New York... After making its USA premiere at the African Diaspora International Film Festival in November, it was acquired by ArtMattan Productions soon thereafter, and will now begin its USA theatrical run, right here in New York City at the Film Forum. Moussa Touré's La Pirogue will open tomorrow, Wednesday, January 23, and will run through Tuesday, February 5, at Film Forum - a 2-week run; so plenty of time for you to make an effort to see it. The film made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last year, and given how well it was received by critics, and the recent success...
- 1/22/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
More wonderful news for Moussa Touré's La Pirogue - and if you live in New York. After making its USA premiere at the African Diaspora International Film Festival in November, it was acquired by ArtMattan Productions soon thereafter, and will now begin its USA theatrical run, right here in New York City at the Film Forum. It'll run from Wednesday, January 23 to Tuesday, February 5, at Film Forum - so, a 2-week run; plenty of time for you to make an effort to see it. Call me naive, but I fully expected the film to be quickly picked up for USA distribution after its Cannes Film Festival debut last...
- 1/10/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
The International Organization of La Francophonie and The African Diaspora International Film Festival present the USA premiere of Moussa Touré's La Pirogue, Tonight, Tuesday, November 27, 7Pm at Teachers College, Cowin Center - the festival's Gala screening. La Pirogue tells the story of a group of Senegalese men who set off for Europe on a simple fishing boat, hoping for a better life. But it's so much more than that, as I've explained numerous times in previous posts about the film, which you can revisit. Here's its synopsis: La Pirogue is the moving story of a group of Senegalese men who set...
- 11/27/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
A vast expanse of ocean. A small boat, bobbing with uncertainty amongst looming waves. It’s an image that’s been created many times in many iterations across the cinema landscape - in Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat, in The Perfect Storm, more recently in Ang Lee’s opus Life of Pi. And now, also, in Senegalese director Moussa Touré’s latest film, La Pirogue. One of the two gala screenings set for the upcoming 20th edition of the African Diaspora International Film Festival (Adiff), La Pirogue is Touré’s third film in twenty years and, much like his sophomore effort Tgv (1998), it is a film about survival, a distinct sort of survival -...
- 11/20/2012
- by Zeba Blay
- ShadowAndAct
Starting November 23rd, the 20th Annual New York African Diaspora International Film Festival (Adiff) will showcase 54 films from 30 countries. Look forward to seeing a few films we've covered at length on this site, including gala screenings of Philippe Niang's historical drama Toussaint L'Ouverture and Moussa Touré's drama La Pirogue. Also screening is Doctor Bello, with Isaiah Washington, Vivica Fox, and lauded Nollywood actress Genevieve Nnaji, on opening night. Find more on the films, and the festival, from the press release below: Among the films set...
- 11/7/2012
- by Jai Tiggett
- ShadowAndAct
The 2012 installment of the Afrika Eye Film Festival in Bristol, UK, launches on Friday, November 9th, and will include in its lineup of film screenings, talks, and more, a celebration of 50 years of Jamaican independence. The opening night film will be the sensational new film from Senegalese director Moussa Touré, La Pirogue. Panel highlights include a discussion on how digital can help grow and cultivate audiences for cinema in Africa, which will include panellists Wanuri Kahiu, director of Pumzi, David Tosh Gitonga, director of Nairobi Half Life, John Mwangi, owner of Zenj Multimedia Communications, Bob Nyanja, director of The Rugged Priest, and...
- 11/1/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Senegalese filmmaker Moussa Touré’s La Pirogue (The Pirogue), which premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the Canne Film Festival this year, and continued to play film festivals all over the world (although none in the USA yet), is set to begin its commercial theatrical run in France, about 2 weeks from today. Paris-based Rezo Films and Studio 37 will release La Pirogue in theaters, in France, on October 17. The fact that the film, like many Senegalese films, is a co-production between France and Senegal, probably was of influence on its opening first is France. Recapping... synopsis on the film,...
- 10/4/2012
- by Courtney
- ShadowAndAct
A film that's high on my to-see list, assuming it comes my way this year, or soon thereafter; as far as I know, it has yet to appear in any Stateside film festival lineup, so I expect that to change in the fall (at least, I hope so; and I hope that the USA festival that gets it first in one that's based in NYC). Premiering at in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, Senegalese filmmaker Moussa Touré’s La Pirogue (The Pirogue), left Cannes without any distribution, which I'm not terribly shocked by. The filmmaker isn't exactly a household name on the international film scene, even though he's...
- 8/3/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
A film that's high on my to-see list, assuming it comes my way this year, or soon thereafter; screening in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, Senegalese filmmaker Moussa Touré’s La Pirogue (The Pirogue), left Cannes without any distribution, which I'm not terribly shocked by. The filmmaker isn't exactly a household name on the international film scene, even though he's been making films for over 20 years; and the subject matter and Pov the film takes are likely of little interest to audiences outside of continental Africa. But I certainly hope that the strength of the film (it's been...
- 5/31/2012
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Cannes 2012 is done, and as is usually the case every year, there was very little representation from the African Diaspora, and we've pretty much highlighted the small handful of feature films of note that fall under that category - from Senegalese filmmaker, Moussa Touré’s La Pirogue (The Pirogue), to the the award-winning Beasts Of The Southern Wild. Add to that Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch's Les Chevaux De Dieu (God's Horses). A first-time Official Selection at Cannes, the film is loosely based on the terrorist attacks that took place in Casablanca on May 13, 2003. Ayouch was shocked...
- 5/30/2012
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Screening in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival this month - a project we've been following since I first wrote about in December. Here's your first look at Senegalese filmmaker Moussa Touré’s 3rd feature film in 20 years, La Pirogue (The Pirogue), via several clips. Recapping... its synopsis on the film, which is described briefly as a story about undocumented immigrants: La Pirogue is the moving story of a group of Senegalese men who set off for Europe on a simple fishing boat, hoping for a better life. Baye Laye is the captain of a fishing pirogue who dreams of earning a better living for his family. When he is...
- 5/19/2012
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
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