About

The old lady, like any international money lender who takes the ruins of Africa hostage, offers a structural adjustment plan for souls and values. Prosperity for a corpse. Djibril Diop Mambéty

Accompanied by a fabulous entourage, musicians who announce her arrival and sporting a golden prosthetic leg, Linguere Ramatou (Ami Diakhate) is a force to be reckoned with. As a young woman Ramatou had to leave her village in disgrace, yet now, in her old age she triumphantly returns a rich woman. The self-important men of the town see her arrival as an opportunity to ingratiate themselves in the hope she can rid them of their financial woes. However, Ramatou comes back home not for redemption, instead she’s seeking revenge. Hyenas is writer/director Djibril Diop Mambéty’s searing commentary on class, colonialism, power and powerlessness. Mambéty’s cinematic language utilises a vividness of colours, beautiful framing and stylish costume to present his story of a remote village to a grand scale of wry political and moral commentary.

Ages 15+