Yeelen (Brightness)

Sun 26 Oct at 8.20pm

Souleymane Cissé | Mali/Burkina Faso/France/ West Germany 1987 | 1h44m | 35mm | Bambara with English subtitles | PG

Father against son, white magic against sorcery, selfishness against altruism - Yeelen has all of these, plus some of the most stupendous cinematography of African landscapes you could ever wish for. Set in 13th century Mali and soaked in the metaphysics of Bambara cosmogony, it depicts the story of Niankoro as he is hounded by his 'poisonous' father, Soma. During his travels, Niankoro saves a village and gains a wife, but finally has to face the force of his father. The final showdown between father and son provides a dramatic end and a new beginning.

Yeelen, which opened AiM 2006 to a sold-out audience, is arguably the best-known African film and one of the most visually stunning films ever made anywhere in the world.

Director Souleymane Cissé will be in attendance to talk to the audience after the screening