Search - Great African Films, Vol. 1: Haramuya and Faraw: Mother of the Dunes on DVD

A Diamond & A Pebble

A.S.I | Maryland, USA & Lagos, Nigeria | 12/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This dvd pack is a two movie disc set with 'Faraw' and "Haramuya'.

The first movie, from Mali, 'Faraw' is a priceless gem. It follows a 24 hour period in the life of Zamiatou, a mother and wife who struggles to provide for her three children and mentally disabled husband. Zamiatou is fierce and courageous. She defies the odds; stark poverty,the unyeilding desert and easy money to do what she must do so they can eat - tearing to shreds the Western stereotype of weak, subordinate African women. It is beautifully shot in the desert, the endless sands, the setting sun, the animals... and the themes are resoundingly simple. It is worth watching if only for the rapid curses and praises that alternately spew out of Zamiatou's lips and the actress who plays her role is perfect. It is filmed in a local dialect; Shonghoi and some French with English subtitles throughout. A must-see!

The second movie from Burkina Faso is the total opposite and I presume that is the reason they sell it together with 'Faraw' because otherwise, it belongs in the trash can. The plot which lacks any cogency or reason is supposed to give an overview of third-world type urban life in the capital; Ouagadogou. The plot follows a bunch of prostitutes and their madam, a non-native shop-keeper and his bi-racial daughter, an Islamic fundamentalist man and his polygamous family, a bunch of street crooks and the police. Their lives intersect with no rhyme or reason or consequence. The characters are randomly thrown together and the ones that aren't just lounge around the screen verbalizing their tired and meaningless dialogues. The movie doesn't end satisfactorily. It's almost as if the director got tired of shooting and just quit the set. It is shot in a local dialect, Bambara and some French with English subtitles throughout.

In all my 5 stars go to Faraw."