Timbuktu

Plot

Not far from the ancient Malian city of Timbuktu, proud cattle herder Kidane (Ibrahim Ahmed aka Pino) lives peacefully in the dunes with his wife Satima (Toulou Kiki), his daughter Toya (Layla Walet Mohamed), and Issan (Mehdi Ag Mohamed), their twelve-year-old shepherd. In town, the people suffer, powerless, from the regime of terror imposed by the Jihadists determined to control their faith. Music, laughter, cigarettes, even soccer have been banned. The women have become shadows but resist with dignity. Every day, the new improvised courts issue tragic and absurd sentences. Kidane and his family are being spared the chaos that prevails in Timbuktu. But their destiny changes abruptly.

Why watch

Kidane, a proud cattle herder, lives a tranquil life with his family near Timbuktu, but their peace is shattered by the encroaching terror of jihadist rule. As the regime imposes absurd laws that strip away joy and freedom, the film captures the quiet resilience of its characters against a backdrop of despair. Watching it feels like a meditation on the fragility of life and the enduring strength of familial love amidst chaos.

Talking points

• the role of art and music in oppressive regimes
• the impact of war on family dynamics
• the absurdity of legal systems under extremist rule

Cultural context

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