African Film Archive

Bamako

2006 — Abderrahmane Sissako — Mali, France

feature · docudrama · festival-era

Staged in the courtyard of a mud-walled house in Bamako, Abderrahmane Sissako's docudrama sets a couple's private breakup against a public mock trial in which Malian citizens, including activist Aminata Traore, charge the IMF and World Bank with crimes against humanity.

Fun fact: The trial scenes were shot with real Malian lawyers and residents playing witnesses, blurring the line between staged courtroom drama and genuine testimony.

Notes: Won Best French-Language Film at the 2007 Lumiere Awards and the Audience Award at Paris Cinema 2006.

Verification: verified · Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Poster source: Wikipedia