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Contras' City (City of Contrasts) 1969

'In his first short film, Mambéty sensitively, imaginatively and puckishly captures the series of contrasts that would define the tumultuous social and ideological climate that would explode in Senegal in 1968. Faced with the opulent French influence that continued to dominate the cultural presence of a nation that recently became independent, it was inevitable that the diversity of identities present in the city would open fissures in the remains of colonialism. A conversation between a Senegalese man (the director, Djibril Diop Mambéty) and a French woman, Inge Hirschnitz. As we travel through the city in a picturesque horse drawn wagon, we chaotically rush into this and that popular neighborhood of the capital. Architecture, sound and languages meet in continuous collision, and the offscreen dialogue that drives this docudrama satirizes the astonished and condescending French vision of the Senegalese landscape.' Documenta Madrid.

Restored in 2020 by Cineteca di Bologna/L'Immagine Ritrovata and The Film Foundation's World Cinema Project in association with The Criterion Collection. Funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation. This restoration is part of the African Film Heritage Project, an initiative created by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project, the Pan African Federation of Filmmakers and UNESCO – in collaboration with Cineteca di Bologna – to help locate, restore, and disseminate African cinema.

22 minutes | Ages 15+

Touki Bouki (Journey of the Hyena) 1973

Two rebellious young lovers Mory and Anta fantasise about leaving what they see as provincial Senegal for France in Mambéty’s stylish and dreamlike first feature film. Money is tight and a hustle is needed to raise the funds for their Paris escape. The two must navigate a series of misadventures and an assortment of characters in their bid for enough money to travel: cranky Aunts seeking repayment for a loan, a gang who lassos Mory, lascivious playboys and corrupt policeman. Touki Bouki’s infectious fun and biting post-colonial commentary launched Mambéty onto the international stage, the film won the International Critics Award at the Cannes Film Festival and the Special Jury Award at the Moscow Film Festival in 1973.

Ages 15+ | Please note this film includes brief scenes of nudity and scenes of animal slaughter.

Restored in 2008 by The World Cinema Foundation at Cineteca di Bologna/L’Immagine Ritrovata in association with the family of Djibril Diop Mambéty. Restoration funding provided by Armani, Cartier, Qatar Airways and Qatar Museum Authority.

85 minutes | Ages 15+