Moolaad'e

     Writer and director, Ousmane Sembene, brings to attention the issue of female genital mutilation within Africa, through his 2004 film, Moolaad'e. The protagonist  Coll'e, is a woman who shelters and protects young girls, withing a small African village, during the periods in which female genital mutilation is enforced upon young girls. Despite the constant verbal assaults made by the men of the village, along with the tribe of women who perform the mutilations, Coll'e stands strong to her convictions. Finally, after growing tired of her defiance, the men of the village force her husband to publicly beat her until she gives-in, to which she does not. At the moment of her beating, the only person who comes to her defense is, ironically, the town merchant, Mercenaire. Mercenaire is depicted as a traveling, as well overpriced, salesman who travels from great distances to sell goods to the impoverished village. The important symbolism of Merchant, at least in my opinion, is how he is the only character, besides the one engaged son, who has traveled outside the village; hence, the only character with convictions and morals. Although depicted as a conman, Mercenaire, is the only one who shows any decency and mercy when he halts the beating of Coll'e, resulting in his chasing out of town, and possible death. In the end, Coll'e's persistence prevails, ending in the ceasing of female genital mutilations within the village.

     The themes which echoed throughout Moolaad'e are those of courage, and knowledge of the world. The theme of courage is obvious through the symbolism of Coll'e and her actions. Coll'e publicly stands strong on the popular opinion of the victims, when no one else would stand by her side; resulting in her perseverance against punishment and enforcement, which sparks the other women to rally behind her. The theme of knowledge of the outside world is represented through Mercenaire, as well as the engaged son. While the engaged son seems educated and knowledgeable through his exposure of the outside world, he stills seems confined and controlled by traditional village beliefs, unlike the foreign Mercenaire. Mercenaire, being removed from village roots, has been exposed to “small-town” thinking, and knows when he sees something unjust, and will stand up against it; as demonstrated through his military story.

     I thoroughly enjoyed the film Moolaad'e as brought light upon an unknown societal issue among first world countries. Although as real and disturbing as the plot may be, it it is a beautifully visual film with beautiful and natural scenery. I would recommended this film to anyone who is interested in document-style type films.