Master Rank #304

Moolaadé

2004

GCML Total8.7640% Greatness · 40% Engagement · 20% Ease

Directed by Ousmane Sembène

CastFatoumata Coulibaly · Maimouna Hélène Diarra

SenegalBambaraDrama / Social124 minNot Rated
GCML CuratedNarrative FeatureModerate pace
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

A woman in a West African village shelters girls seeking protection from a traditional cutting ceremony.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

In a West African village, Collé Ardo Gallo Sy invokes moolaadé, a sacred protection, for four girls fleeing ritual cutting. The cord across her doorway forces family, elders, women, and the village's cutters to confront competing authority.

Why it belongs

Moolaadé transforms one household's protection into a vivid communal debate through color, radio, ritual, humor, and a remarkable female ensemble.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

The protective cord, village square, mosque, radios, water, clothing, and public ceremonies make authority visible and contested; Fatoumata Coulibaly's composed Collé anchors the argument in practiced courage rather than abstract advocacy.

Major award wins

No verified wins in this six-institution crosswalk.

Awards are reference metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

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