Banel & Adama
Promising debut film about a young couple in rural Senegal trying to cautiously break away from the traditional customs of their community. Was selected for the competition of the Cannes Film Festival.
When Banel’s husband dies, his brother Adama has to marry her. This is no problem, because Banel and Adama have been passionately in love since they were children. Although they wish to respect the traditions of the close-knit village community they belong to, these often do not match their own ideas of independence. Consequently, Adama refuses to take on the role of village chief. The couple decide to live just outside the village. When persistent drought starves the cattle and crops fail, finding a village chief becomes increasingly urgent and the pressure on the young couple to conform to the prevailing norm increases. The two lovers become a plaything between collective interests and individual happiness. (ms)