Senegal, 1944. A battalion of Senegalese Tirailleurs arrives at the Thiaroye transit camp after fighting against the Germans in France. Faced with unfulfilled promises and racism from the military hierarchy, the soldiers mutiny.
In Senegal in 1944, a battalion of Senegalese Tirailleurs arrives at the Thiaroye transit camp. These men were forcibly conscripted, some since 1940, into the French colonial army to fight in France against the Germans. Parked in the camp, they await their demobilization and their pay. Pride soon gives way to disillusionment in the face of unfulfilled promises and racism from the military hierarchy, and the Senegalese Tirailleurs mutiny.
Cast
Ibrahim Sane (Chief sergeant Diatta), Jean-Daniel Simon (Captain Raymond), Marthe Mercadier (Proprietress of Le Coq Hardi), Sidiki Bakaba (Pays), Ismaël Lô (Soldier who plays the harmonica), Casimir Zoba dit Zao (Soldier)
Distinctions
Venice Film Festival 1988 : Grand Jury Prize FESPACO 1988 : Black People's Award Carthage Film Festival 1988 : Grand Jury Prize UNICEF's Prize 1988 Prize Cinéma Nuovo 1988 Organisation of African Unity's Prize 1988
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Directing / Screenplay
Sembene Ousmane et Thierno Faty Sow
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Photography
Smaïl Lakhdar-Hamina
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Original Score
Ismaël Lô
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Production companies
Enaproc, Filmi Domirev, Films Kajoor, Satpec, Société Nouvelle Pathé Cinéma
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Technical information
150 minutes - 1.66 - 35mm - Couleur - Mono
