Mandabi (1968)

Director:

Ousmane Sembene

Writer:

Ousmane Sembene (writer)

Release Date:

26 March 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A money order from a relative in Paris throws the life of a Senegalese family man out of order. He deals with corruption...

Cast

Makhouredia Gueye	...	Ibrahim Dieng
Ynousse N'Diaye	...	1st Wife
Isseu Niang	...	2nd Wife
Serigne N'Diayes	...	Imam
Serigne Sow	...	Maissa
Mustapha Ture	...	Shop Keeper
Farba Sarr	...	Businessman
Moudoun Faye	...	Mailman
Mouss Diouf	...	Nephew
Christoph Colomb	...	Water Seller
Thérèse Bas	...	Dieng's Sister
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mamadou Cisoko

Directed by
Ousmane Sembene

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Ousmane Sembene		writer

Produced by
Robert de Nesle	....	producer

Cinematography by
Paul Soulignac

Film Editing by
Gilbert Kikoïne
Max Saldinger

Production Management
Ibrahima Barro	....	unit production manager
Jean Maumy	....	production manager
Paul S. Vieyra	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Babakar Samb	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Elhadji Mbow	....	assistant sound
Henri Moline	....	sound (as Henry Moline)

Camera and Electrical Department
Maya Bracher	....	still photographer
Robert Caristan	....	camera operator (as J. Karistan)
Dia Cherif	....	electrician
Emile Ganem	....	electrician
Issa Tiaw	....	assistant camera

Other crew
Anne-Marie Rochas	....	script supervisor
Awa Sylla	....	production secretary

Production Companies

• Comptoir Français du Film Production (CFFP)
• Filmi Domirev

Distributors

• Comptoir Français du Film Production (CFFP) (1968) (France) (theatrical)
• Grove Press (1970) (USA) (subtitled)
• New Yorker Films

Also Known As:

Runtime:

90 min | Senegal:105 min (Wolof version)

Country:

France | Senegal

Language:

French | Wolof

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Comptoir Français du Film Production (CFFP)

Excellent

This is partially a response to the above review by Irene Schneider. Mandabi is the second feature length film of Senegalese born director Usmán Sembén. he was also a well respected writer and The Money Order (English translation) is an adaptation of his own book. Capturing the corruption eminent in post colonial Africa by following a proud man who tries to cash a money order sent by a relative working in Paris, France. This newly arrived money turns all those around him, including the lead character into to be kindly a pack of wolves, determined to pick him for all he's got. Except he hasn't even cashed the money order yet. Slow and observant with a charming rhythmic score that engulfs the viewer, it watches a society slowly eating itself because of poverty and selfishness and no one is spared in Usmán Sembén's lament against greed and avarice. A beautifully recapped montage saves what might have been a slightly didactic if not hopeful ending. To note, as opposed to the above comment, there is nothing simple about the movie and it is as prescient today as back then and is no history lesson. To be enjoyed by all those who enjoy the movies of Satyajit Ray because the film making style is very similar to his. ** Use of Usmán Sembén as opposed to Ousmane Sembene is because the director is credited as that in the movie and it seems to be the correct rendition of the name.