Yeelen (1987)
Genre: Fantasy / Drama
Duration: 105 minuten
Alternative title: Brightness
Country:
Mali / Burkina Faso / France / West Germany
Directed by: Souleymane Cissé
Stars: Issiaka Kane, Aoua Sangare and Niamanto Sanogo
IMDb score:
6,9 (2.993)
Releasedate: 11 February 1988
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Yeelen plot
In Yeelen, the story is told of the young Bambara man Sananankoro, who has magical powers. He flees from his father, a great wizard, who wants to kill him. On his journey through present-day Mali, he meets the Peulh king and eventually ends up in the land of the Dogon, where he wants to ask for his uncle's assistance in the fight against his father.
Actors and actresses
Niankoro, le fils
Rouma Boll, le roi Peul
Attou, la jeune femme Peul
Bofing, l'oncle
Soma/ Djigui
Reviews & comments
Vinokourov
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- 3143 messages
- 2909 votes
This Malian film won several awards, including the Cannes Jury Prize. Well, I'm not so lyrical about it. The film mainly consists of rituals, in which different gods are requested to get something done. In between there is also a tribal war. It is clear to see how enormously members of the Peulh tribe depend on their magic. I didn't find it very interesting everywhere and to be honest I had hoped for a better 'greetings from the jungle' atmosphere. The fantasy elements plus the ending, on the other hand, were fun.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Spetie
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- 38871 messages
- 8252 votes
I'm not very familiar with African film. I haven't gotten further than a few films from South Africa and the mini-series Shaka Zulu. That changed last night, when I saw Yeelen, a film that I discovered by chance and that seemed interesting to me.
In any case, Yeelen cannot be compared to any other film. As is the cover, the story also begins, with a beautiful sunrise. The African landscapes are also striking, which are beautifully portrayed. The story itself is especially interesting. All the rituals and manners that emerge from the various tribes are fun to see. It's not really all that exciting, but interesting enough not to cause boredom. Fortunately, in the last half hour the level goes up a bit and it all becomes a bit more surreal. Visually, Yeelen experiences its peak, and the ending is also quite fascinating.
Nice to see at least once. Quite interesting and especially towards the end quite good. It is sometimes a bit less for that and it is also a bit difficult to empathize with yourself, because there is no music at all. But overall not bad at all.
3.0*
Translated from Dutch · View original
Collins
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- 7350 messages
- 4348 votes
That growing sons have other plans for their future than the wishes of the father, is common in every culture. A father who, out of jealousy and selfishness, strongly resists because his son wants to take up the same profession as himself, is less common. This tragic fact is told in the Malian film Yeelen. The story is based on a legend told by the Bambara tribe and is set sometime in the 13th century, I read.
For the young Niankoro of the Bambara tribe of southeastern Mali, who is about to come of age, the main goal is to become a healer and magician. Healer and magician, like his father, he becomes a member of the venerable class of the Komo, the wise men. He goes to his uncle who is also a healer and magician to teach him. The start of an adventurous journey through extreme landscapes and past many tribes with their own traditions and rites.
A strong calling, rebelliousness, self-identity and initiation are the important themes that pass through this film about the road to adulthood, which is depicted as a journey through unknown and dangerous areas. A journey through a ruthless nature. Beautifully captured in images that brilliantly reflect Niankoru's inner state of mind. They make Yeelen a magnificent visual experience.
Yeelen is a mythical film. A film that radiates a powerful calm. A film that leads the viewer through a strange and vast world somewhere in the south of the Sahara. A subdued film with a wonderful spiritual atmosphere that fits perfectly with the story that passes so pleasantly serenely.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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