Yeelen (Brightness) (1987)
Yeelen (Brightness) Photos
Movie Info
Cast
as Nianankoro
as Soma
as Attou la jeune femme Peul
as Rouma Boll the king Peul
as Mah the mother
as Bofing l'oncle
as Le petit garcon d'Attou
as Le chef de Komo
Critic Reviews for Yeelen (Brightness)
All Critics (7) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (1)
Like many stories of creation, Yeelen begins with light: the sun rises over a barren West African landscape.
A visually spellbinding masterpiece.
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.
Very effective in transporting you to its time and setting.
Audience Reviews for Yeelen (Brightness)
Yeelen is a magical tale full of the rich history of Mali brought very effectively to life given the inevitably small budget. It is the earliest film that I have seen for the region and was inevitably the inspiration for other film makers from Northwest Africa.
Super Reviewer
[font=Century Gothic]In "Yeelen", Niankoro(Issiaka Kane) and his mother(Soumba Traore) have been on the run from his father, Soma(Niamanto Sanogo), for the past ten years. But now he is quickly closing in.(Niankoro, now a young man, is like his father, a wizard.) Partially out of desperation, his mother formulates a plan where her and her son are to split up. While she petitions help from higher powers, she gives him a fetish and glass pyramid to give to his uncle, so he can reconcile father and son.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Yeelen" is a resplendently spiritual movie about the world changing which is personified in the conflict between father and son. Soma perhaps rightfully fears his son becoming more powerful than him and taking his place, and seeks to stop his ascension. In the meantime, Niankoro has power but not quite the knowledge of the world to go along with it.[/font]
Super Reviewer
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