‘Madam Brouette’ visits Alliance Francaise

‘Madame Brouette’, the film by Senegalese director Moussa Sene Absa, a visually compelling, complex synthesis of social commentary and social satire will be screened at 3.00 pm on Tuesday, Jan 22 and at 6.30 pm on Wednesday, Jan 23 at Alliance Francaise, Barnes Place Colombo-7.

Another superbly balanced social drama from Senegal. Told partly in flashback, it concerns the investigation of the murder of a police officer, presumably by his enraged wife Madame Brouette (Niang). The film stars Rokhaya Niang, Aboubacar Sadikh Ba, Kadiatou Sy, Ndeye Seneba Seck and Ousseynou Diop.

Proud and independent, Mati, also known as Madame Brouette ("Mrs. Wheelbarrow"), makes a living by pushing her wheelbarrow through the marketplace in Sandaga, Senegal. Divorced, she dreams of one day opening her own diner so she can earn a living with dignity, together with her daughter, Ndèye, and her friend, Ndaxté, who has also escaped from a violent marriage. Mati has had enough of men, and doesn't want anything more to do with them.

Fate, however, comes calling, in the person of charming and smooth-talking Naago, a cop. Despite her misgivings, Mati falls in love once again. This time, it may be the real thing… One day, at dawn, the residents of the Niayes Thiokeert district are awakened by the sound of gunfire. In full view of the horrified neighbours, a wounded Naago emerges from Mati's house and collapses. What pushed Madame Brouette to this extreme?… Was is it really she who pulled the trigger? The French movie with English subtitles was first released on December 1, 2003 in Canada.