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The Mad Masters

Original title: Les maîtres fous
  • 1955
  • 36m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
The Mad Masters (1955)
DocumentaryShortHorror

A documentary short depicting a Hauka ceremony where young workers are possessed by British colonial officers.A documentary short depicting a Hauka ceremony where young workers are possessed by British colonial officers.A documentary short depicting a Hauka ceremony where young workers are possessed by British colonial officers.

  • Director
    • Jean Rouch
  • Star
    • Jean Rouch
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    1.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jean Rouch
    • Star
      • Jean Rouch
    • 9User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
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    Top cast

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    Jean Rouch
    Jean Rouch
    • Narrator
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Jean Rouch
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.
    • Quotes

      Narrator: But today the Major is no longer impotent, and his girlfriend is very happy.

    • Alternate versions
      There is an alternate version with English narration. The director Jean Rouch recorded the narration for both the French and English versions.
    • Connections
      Featured in J'ai vu tuer Ben Barka (2005)

    User reviews9

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Powerful, shocking, questionable documentary.
    Simple premise of this film is to follow the effects of colonialism on indigenous Africans via specific rituals developed as a reaction to the colonial system. The film turns into a crazy elaboration on both the madness of such a political system and man himself. At once we are amazed and confused by the violent and involved trance that the Africans take part in; however, we are, at the same time, forced to recognize the power that the camera may have over those in front of it. That is, the very "reality" of a documentary is dissolved or, at least, questioned. Disturbing and essential.
    helpful•17
    6
    • Django-13
    • Jan 26, 2000

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • June 17, 1973 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • France
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Безумные начальники
    • Filming locations
      • Accra, Ghana
    • Production company
      • Les Films de la Pléiade
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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