Moolaadé

2004, Drama, 2h 4m

75 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

A vibrant, powerful, and poignant glimpse into the struggles of women in modern Africa. Read critic reviews

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Moolaadé Photos

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Movie Info

For fear of enduring genital mutilation, a group of girls flee their own "purification" ceremony and take refuge with Collé (Fatoumata Coulibaly), a woman who had spared her daughter from the same fate. Collé casts a spell to protect the girls, which causes much consternation among among the village elders. In retaliation, they confiscate all radios from the women villagers and demand that the spell be broken, but Collé nevertheless holds fast.
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    Bambara
  • Director:
    Ousmane Sembene
  • Writer:
    Ousmane Sembene
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $214.6K
  • Runtime:

Cast & Crew

Fatoumata Coulibaly
Collé Gallo Ardo Sy
Maimouna Hélène Diarra
Hadjatou
Salimata Traoré
Amasatou
Aminata Dao
Alima Bâ
Ousmane Sembene
Director
Ousmane Sembene
Writer

News & Interviews for Moolaadé

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Critic Reviews for Moolaadé

All Critics (75) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (74) | Rotten (1)
Full Review… Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Full Review… Kirk Honeycutt Hollywood Reporter Full Review… David Parkinson Empire Magazine Full Review… Keith Phipps AV Club Full Review… Richard Nilsen Arizona Republic Full Review… Philip Kemp Sight & Sound Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Full Review… Tom Dawson The List Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy Full Review… Tom Dawson Film4 Full Review… Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
View All Critic Reviews (75)

Audience Reviews for Moolaadé

  • Nov 24, 2016
    Ousmane Sambène makes a daring and important statement against female genital mutilation and speaks for the necessity of change and modernization. Full review on filmotrope. com
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Jan 27, 2012
    Disturbing and moving story of a minor womens' lib moment...one that protects young girls from circumcision in a great movie about this unfortunate practice.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Aug 04, 2009
    A very unelegant subject is dealt in this movie elegantly... director Ousmane Sembene brings a story where the practice of female circumcision is everyday issue in a small village in Burkina Faso in such a way that the 2 h 4 min fly why we are drawn into the magic of his work. A movie which is a must for every lover of African cinematography.
    Panta O Super Reviewer
  • Mar 06, 2008
    While the film could use some trimmimg, this may be one of the most important films to ever come out of Africa. It comfronts the terrible practice of circumcision on the young girls in a small village. A woman in the town takes a stand against this disgusting practice, that often kills the girls, and she must contend with centuries of tradition and the hypocracy of the male leaders in the town. It is an interesting examination of a culture that is far different than our own. Not easy to watch, but it is a film that more people should see.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
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