Waiting for Happiness (2002)

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 & 3 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:

train | singing | ship | sand | radio | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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User Reviews

an odyssey of images

While this may sound totally implausible to most, the film this most resembled, for me, was Claire Denis's recent release FRIDAY NIGHT (VENDREDI SOIR), a French European film with little or no dialogue, but it is an impressionistic mosaic which the viewer can follow. Here, in a film that, culturally, more closely resembles an Iranian film, like THE DAY I BECAME A WOMAN, it is literally an odyssey of images, with little to no narrative, only the images tell the story, and it ends up being an exhilarating experience, suitable for nearly all ages, that is a rare treat "outside" experimental film. This is one of the most tender, gentlest films I've ever seen, which relies in large degree, on the West African music which is featured prominently throughout, particularly at the finale which I found excruciatingly beautiful. A rare treat.

Details

Country:

France Mauritania

Language:

French Hassanya Mandarin

Release Date:

15 January 2003 (France)

Also Known As:

Waiting for Happiness

Filming Locations:

Nouadhibou, Mauritania

Box Office

Budget:

EUR1,450,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,982, 6 April 2003

Gross USA:

$7,406

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$53,048

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arte France Cinéma, Duo Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color