Timbuktu review - BFI film festival

 

Timbuktu is a 2014 film written and directed by Abderrahmane Sissako; it’s a realistic drama which runs for 97 minutes.  The film features Kidane played by Ibrahim Ahmed a man who lives in the dunes of Timbuktu with his wife Satima (Toulou Kiki), his daughter Toya (Layla Walet Mohammed) and their twelve year old shepherd Issan (Medhi A.G. Mohamed).  One main theme is acceptance because Kidane learns to accept that it is safest for his family in the dunes and they won’t be around very many people he also accepts the fate that has been given to him by the new laws nearer the end of the film. Another main theme is family because they are all constantly looking out for each other and keeping each other safe. The young shepherd Issan is also treated as part of the family.

Kidane and his family live out in the dunes to keep safe away from the religious fundamentalists that now rule the town and cause suffering and hurt within the locals. Many everyday activities have been banned and the new courts issue appalling and irrational sentences. However Kidane and his family have managed to escape the chaos until Kidane carries out an awful act which forces him to face the new laws.

I felt that at times the storyline came across as quite confusing but within the narrative they were able to create a collage of stories that reveal the lives and deaths of the people whose lives have been engulfed by the extremists. I liked how the activities that took place between Kidane and his family were compared to the things the people in the town could do. At one point Kidane was playing guitar under the tent whilst Satima and Toya sat in freedom without worrying about keeping their heads covered at all times but back in town such actions resulted in public lashing or stoning to death which was shown in a brief yet alarming scene. These violent acts were very powerful and profound; they really gave you a strong insight into life outside 21^st century England.

The protagonist, Kidane had many different goals throughout. He carried out one main goal throughout the film which was to keep his family safe and make sure they were in no danger or affected by the jihadists. One of his goals was revenge after an accident with one of his cattle, the next was the chance to see his daughter after his life was overtaken by the law and lastly to save his wife. All these goals where made clear and were all shown well from Kidane’s perspective.

The very start of the film shows a gazelle running through the dunes which foreshadows the end of the film. At the start it shows a group of jihadists shooting at the gazelle; at the very end a man whose identity is unknown is shown trying to escape from the jihadists that are chasing him down once again with guns. This gazelle is the past representation of this man, which I think is quite clever because they showed you at the beginning what will happen at the end without the viewer realising it. The ending also featured Toya and Issan running through the dunes presumably towards each other, however we never actually got to see what happened to them so that is left for us to create our own visions.

Overall I think Timbuktu had quite a compelling message because it made me understand the lifestyle of people in other countries and made me feel grateful for mine. I do think that some of the characters needed a bigger or clearer role because I was unable to interpret the reason some characters were needed. The acting was very strong especially during of the upsetting scenes which made me greatly sympathise with the characters.