Genesis (1999)
"La genèse" (original title)

The biblical story of Jacob and Esau.

Director:

Cheick Oumar Sissoko

Writer:

Jean-Louis Sagot-Durvaroux

Stars:

Sotigui Kouyaté, Salif Keita, Balla Moussa Keita

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Sotigui Kouyaté	...	Jacob
Salif Keita	...	Esau
Balla Moussa Keita	...	Hamor
Fatoumata Diawara	...	Dina
Maimouna Hélène Diarra	...	Lea
Balla Habib Dembélé	...	(as Habibou Dembele)
Magma Coulibaly
Oumar Namory Keita

Storyline

Inspired by the Holy Book of Genesis, this film tells the power struggle between two families: a clan of herders led by Jacob and another clan of hunters fronted by his brother Esau. Caught in the crossfire is their cousin, Hamor and his tribe of farmers.

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Plot Keywords:

biblical | rape | revenge

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

France Mali

Language:

Bambara

Release Date:

8 December 1999 (France)

Also Known As:

Genesis

Filming Locations:

Mali

Company Credits

Production Co:

Balanzan, C.N.P.C., Cinéma Public Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Stunning, affecting, powerful.

This movie puts the story of "The Rape of Dinah" into the tribal context from which it comes. It also shows how a tribal legal system works & holds the Bible accountable to a higher moral code than Biblical scholars have done.

"La Genese" considers the human toll of Leah's lack of love in her family, of Jacob's excessive grieving & of the jealousy & lack of supervision of the unloved sons. It sides with Esau in his quest for justice from his brother. It pities Dinah who has lost her husband & has been driven mad by her brother's revenge on her "rape", which was in fact her assertion of her right to act on her own sexual desire.

This is a movie of extraordinary power & the scenery is gorgeous (as are the costumes).