SummaryA rousing polemic directed against the still common African practice of female circumcision, Moolaadé is set in a small African village, where four young girls facing ritual "purification" flee to the household of Collé Ardo Gallo Sy, a strong-willed woman who has managed to shield her own teenage daughter from mutilation. Collé invokes the time-... Read More
Directed By:Ousmane Sembene
Written By:Ousmane Sembene
Moolaadé
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
91
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.9
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Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
92% Positive
24 Reviews
24 Reviews
8% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
Once in a rare while a film comes along that is boldly original, communicates an important idea in an elegantly simple fashion and happens to be highly entertaining. Such is the case with Moolaadé.
100
This was for me the best film at Cannes 2004, a story vibrating with urgency and life. It makes a powerful statement and at the same time contains humor, charm and astonishing visual beauty.
User score
Universal Acclaim
100% Positive
15 Ratings
15 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Jun 18, 2012
10
A brave piece and considered personally to be an accomplished piece of cinematic achievement from the African film industry. A film that gives out a powerful political message in such a humorous, charming and heroic way that makes it a special one to watch. A perfect morality tale.
Jun 17, 2016
9
Moolaadé shows us the deepest thoughts **** of girls trying to be protected by the main character, Collé, by using moolaadé (magical protection) and boy, how much I want to watch this movie over and over again.
100
This sometimes harrowing, often delightful drama stands with his (Sembène) most compassionate, colorful, and artfully filmed works.
90
This has to be the most richly entertaining movie anyone has ever made on the subject of female genital mutilation.
88
Fatoumata Coulibaly's peformance is striking. She plays her character with a mixture of determination and compassion.
75
Not always pleasant to watch.
40
Achieves the impossible in taking a genuine socio-political tragedy and turning it into an anvil drama which will fray the patience of the most sympathetic audiences.
Aug 27, 2010
9
In a small village in Africa, a woman stands up to tribal traditions by harboring 4 girls in her house who refuse to partake in "purification' - a mandatory ritual for all women to become married. She uses the tribes own superstitions against them by summoning a 'moolaade,' a spirit who will protect the children from the tribals entering her house. Furthermore, the tribe chief's cosmopolitan son is set to marry the same woman's daughter, only to find out she is a balikoro (unpurified). A foreign street is also there to pass judgment on the whole situation in this fascinating watch.
Production Company:
- Filmi Domirev
- Direction de la Cinematographie Nationale
- Centre Cinématographique Marocain
- Cinétéléfilms
- Les Films Terre Africaine
- Ciné-Sud Promotion
- Fonds Sud Cinéma
- Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC)
- Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Développement International
Release Date:Oct 15, 2004
Duration:2 h 4 m
Tagline:Set in Burkina Faso, an inspiring story about a group of women who stand up for their rights against the traditions of their village
Awards
Cannes Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Marrakech International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Chlotrudis Awards
• 2 Nominations
