STUDIOCANAL is thrilled to announce they will release a 4K restoration of Ousmane Sembène’s trailblazing Senegalese classic ‘Mandabi’ (The Money Order) in cinemas and on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital in June 2021.
Directed, written and produced by the legendary, ‘father of African cinema’ Ousmane Sembène, the film was originally made in 1968 where it won the Special Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival. This will be the first time the film has been released in the UK and is complete with new artwork by Nigerian artist Adekunle Adeleke (https://www.kunlepaints.com/).
This second feature by Sembène was the first movie ever made in an African language—a major step toward the realisation of the trailblazing Senegalese filmmaker’s dream of creating a cinema by, about, and for Africans. One of his most coruscatingly funny and indignant films, ‘Mandabi’ – an adaptation of a novella by the director himself—is a bitterly ironic depiction of a society scarred by colonialism and plagued by corruption, greed, and poverty.
One day, Ibrahima Dieng (Makhouredia Gueye) receives a letter containing a money order from his nephew, a street sweeper in Paris. Ibrahima, without work in Dakar, and with a large family to support can only keep 2,000 CFA francs; a portion must be kept aside for his nephew and the rest to be given to his sister. But the news spreads fast in his neighbourhood … his wives, his neighbours and family see in this promise of money their escape. Ibrahima must then face a nightmarish foray into the corrupt and absurd world of Senegalese bureaucracy, which eventually leaves him even more miserable than he was before.
The 4K restoration of the film premiered at the Lumière Film Festival 2020 in Lyon with Sembène’s son, Alain Sembène in attendance to present the film at the special occasion.
Alain said of the restoration: “Seeing the restored version of ‘Mandabi’ by STUDIOCANAL made me really emotional. It brought me back to my time on set with my father and the actors, transporting me back to Dakar in the 60’s…
When I was a kid the story made me laugh, but I understood quickly the relevance of the story. A story that is still relevant today, treated with great finesse and accuracy”.
‘Mandabi’ is available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital now with the following bonus content:
- Shooting Mandabi – Silent Footage from British Pathé
- Audio Commentary with Sembène! (2015) Filmmakers Samba Gadjigo and Jason Silverman
- Interview with Alain Sembène
- Interview with African film Curator and Consultant Keith Shiri
- Discussion with Sembène Specialist and Author David Murphy
- Conversation in Dakar with Author Boubacar Boris Diop and Sociologist Marie-Angélique Savané
- Theatrical trailer
- 20-page booklet with brand-new essay from celebrated Sembène writer David Murphy
To celebrate the release, we’ve got 4 copies on Blu-ray to give away. Enter below for a chance to win…
This competition closes at 23:59 GMT on Monday 5th July 2021.
Please note that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, prizes will take longer than normal to be sent out.
Terms & Conditions
- The competition is open to all UK residents over the age of 13.
- Winners will be selected at random.
- By entering into the competition all entrants agree to be bound by the terms and conditions.
- Entertainment Focus does not allow collective or proxy entries.
- Entertainment Focus reserves the right to change or withdraw this competition without notice.
- Entertainment Focus will not pass your details to any third parties and they will be used solely for communication regarding this competition.
- Winners will be notified via email or social media and prizes must be claimed within 5 working days.
- The supplier may change the prize offered without warning.
- There is no cash or other alternative to the prize stated and the prize is not transferable. No part or parts of the prize may be substituted for other benefits, items or additions.
- Entertainment Focus’ decision is final – no correspondence will be entered into.
