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Movies / On DVD / Yeelen
Yeelen

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Yeelen (1987)

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86 %
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Reviews Counted: 7

Fresh: 6

Rotten:1

Average Rating: 7.4/10

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Synopsis: Capturing the dramatic green-yellow landscape of West Africa with clear, cold photography, YEELEN is the bold story of Nianankoro, a young man with great powers. He is cursed by his evil father,... Capturing the dramatic green-yellow landscape of West Africa with clear, cold photography, YEELEN is the bold story of Nianankoro, a young man with great powers. He is cursed by his evil father, Soma, who is pursuing him with the help of prayers to the gods and the magic post--a compass-like instrument carried between two servant men. Nianakoro's mother sends him off across the land to escape his father and seek his uncle--his father's twin, Djigui Diarra. Along the way Nianankoro has a series of adventures. He uses his special powers to help a tribe that is being threatened by warriors. And, when called upon by the king of the tribe to cure his youngest wife of her infertility, Nianankoro learns a hard lesson about honor. Meanwhile, Soma is meeting with a group of talismen to whom he explains his need to kill his son. He conducts a chanting ritual with them, under the influence of strong grog. The speech and singing of the Bambara people is rhythmic and uniquely musical and adds to the film's already mysterious premise. Based on a Bambaran creation myth, the story shows Nianankoro's struggle to depose the corrupt ruling power represented by Soma, resulting in knowledge for all. [More]

Director: Souleymane Cisse

Director: Souleymane Cisse

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Release:

Oct 28, 2003

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Reviews for Yeelen

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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

No review available.

comment Comment
10/07/05
Michael Szymanski
International Press Academy

No review available.

comment Comment
07/12/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
N/R

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Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
08/30/04
Caryn James
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Like many stories of creation, Yeelen begins with light: the sun rises over a barren West African landscape.

Full Review Source: Not Coming to a Theater Near You | comment Comment
05/17/04
Leo Goldsmith
Not Coming to a Theater Near You

A visually spellbinding masterpiece.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
12/17/03
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It’s a sign of true genius that a director can summon the rise, fall and subsequent rebirth of the cosmos with such a profound understanding and respect for the shape of things.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
09/21/03
Ed Gonzalez
Slant Magazine

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Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
07/30/03
TV Guide's Movie Guide
N/R

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Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film

Very effective in transporting you to its time and setting.

Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | comment Comment
02/28/02
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies
N/R

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Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Hal Hinson
Washington Post
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