Still from Banel and Adama (2023), by Ramata-Toulaye.
Still from Banel and Adama (2023), by Ramata-Toulaye.
Banel and Adama (Banel et Adama)
2:30 pm–4:00 pm
Directed by Ramata-Toulaye Sy (France, Senegal, Mali, and Qatar, 2023, 87 min.). Pular and Peul with English subtitles.
Banel and Adama, a young married couple living in a remote village in northern Senegal, are fiercely in love. For them, nothing exists but each other, and life is nearly perfect. But duty dictates that Adama accept the role of chief, pulling his focus from his bride just as a devastating drought settles on the village, shattering their blissful world. A rare debut feature that premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, and Senegal’s official submission to the 96th Academy Awards, Banel and Adama is a lush and lyrical West African dreamscape, a tragic romance that soars to the heights of longing and descends deep into the realm of myth as it sets its protagonists’ everlasting love on a collision course with their community’s traditions.
“Wonderfully photographed and vehemently acted, the film is full of ideas. An impressive piece of work from a natural filmmaker.” —Guardian
“A striking debut that puts Sy on the map.… The combination of ethereal voiceover with nature at its most breathtaking evokes our cinema’s philosophical high priest, Terrence Malick.” —Indiewire
Wheelchair accessible
With English subtitles
Ticket Information
To order tickets by phone, call 1-800-440-6975 ($6 processing fee applies); to order in person, visit any MFA ticket desk.
Bag Checks
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