Waiting for Happiness (2002)
"Heremakono" (original title)

The story of two people who cross paths in Nouhadhibou.

Director:

Abderrahmane Sissako

Writer:

Abderrahmane Sissako

Stars:

Khatra Ould Abder Kader, Maata Ould Mohamed Abeid, Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamed

8 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Khatra Ould Abder Kader	...	Khatra
Maata Ould Mohamed Abeid	...	Maata
Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Mohamed	...	Abdallah
Fatimetou Mint Ahmeda	...	Soukeyna, the mother
Nana Diakité	...	Nana
Makanfing Dabo	...	Makan
Santha Leng	...	Tchu
Baba Ould Mini	...	Sidi
Mickaël Onoimweniku	...	Mickaël
Diallo Ibrahima Sory	...	Diallo
Cheick Oumar Tembely	...	Omar
Jerib Ould Jiddou	...	Le chauffeur de taxi
Mohamed Salem Ould Dendou	...	Le docteur
Mohamed Lemine	...	Le réparateur électricien
Aminala Tembely	...	La petite fille aux tresses

Storyline

On the seacoast of Mauritania, some wait to go to Europe. Khatra, a spirited boy, wants an electric light so he can read at night. A stoic older man, Maata, tries to wire the room. Abdallah, a youth on his way to Europe, says good-bye to his mother. Nana looks back on the death of her daughter and her trip to Europe to inform the father. A girl takes singing lessons. Rooms have small windows, looking out onto foot traffic; transistor radios provide some link beyond. Huge ships anchor in the distance. The train comes through, stopping briefly. Offering a cigarette is a gesture of hospitality. Sand dunes and the ocean dominate the landscape. Hope springs amidst small expectations.

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Plot Keywords:

singing | sand | death | radio | dune | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Details

Country:

France Mauritania

Language:

French Hassanya Mandarin

Release Date:

15 January 2003 (France)

Also Known As:

Czekajac na szczescie

Filming Locations:

Nouadhibou, Mauritania

Box Office

Budget:

€1,450,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,982 (USA) (4 April 2003)

Gross:

$1,982 (USA) (4 April 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Duo Films, arte France Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Film as fine art, beautiful story telling.

What a beautiful film to see. I lucked out when it came on satellite. It just ended. I was supposed to take a nap to do something later but I couldn't resist watching this film. The photography is wonderful. It's quiet but totally worth watching.

The storyline is universal to being in a family. To see such beautiful people presented in traditional clothing is fantastic. The traditional music is entrancing and used effectively throughout the film. The photography of women is luscious and loving. Scenes of women dancing and singing shine in my mind. The director is top of the line, a-number-one.