Fanta Régina Nacro
La Nuit de la Vérité is situated in an imaginary West African country. After ten years of civil war between the government army of the Nayak, led by 'Le président', and the Bonande rebels led by Colonel Theo, there is some sign of peace negotiations. But not everyone is in favor of peace and one can feel the tension. The night of truth starts with a festive dinner, but the village idiot Tomoto always seems capable of ruining the attempts for peace with violence and provocation.
In 1997, six African women pledged that in the first year of the new millennium they would tell their stories, stories by African women. They called their series "Mama Africa" and drew their tales from the depths of their hearts. The result is a groundbreaking initiative bringing together the incredibly fresh talents of six female directors from the vast and diverse continent of Africa.
Bintou wants to make sure that her daughter goes to school, but her husband Abel doesn’t think it’s worth it because there is only money enough for the boys’ education. Bintou won’t give up and starts her own business to earn the extra money. But Abel, scared that he is losing control and that Bintou’s newfound financial freedom will lead her to adultery, he tries to sabotage her efforts. Joyfully satirical, Bintou pushes aside the stereotypes of dignified African traditions and tackles sexuality, gender relations, and even the fraught relationship between tradition and modernity, with comic results. Winner Best Short film FESPACO 2001.
This short film directed by Nacro in 1997 depicts the various myths behind condom use, sexuality, AIDS, polygamy and the theme of change in a Burkinabe village.
