The Sand Raft
SPECIAL JURY AWARD
21° TURIN FILM FESTIVAL
Directed by Isabella Sandri / creative documentary / prod. Gaundri srl /66 min. / DV Cam, Beta SP / Year 2003 / Italy / TV acquisition RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana
Il Film
“The struggle of the Tuareg people of Mali to hold onto their nomadic traditions is the subject of Isabella Sandri’s poignant docu ‘The Sand Raft’. First wracked by drought and then victimized by the government and army, the Tuareg have seen their independent culture along the fringes of the Sahara slip away”. (‘Variety’)
A creative documentary about the last Tuareg tribes people to survive the drought in the north of Mali, and who are now struggling not to lose their nomadic and warrior identity in exchange for settling down. At the 21° Turin Film Festival it wins the Special Jury Prize.
Synopsis
In a chorus of voices, of testimonies and considerations, the Tuareg tell how, in 1990, in the North of Mali, there has been a great Tuareg ribellion and how thousands of civilians have been killed by the Mali Army and by the militia pro-government of Ghanda Koy as a retaliation to the attacks of the Popular Front and the Liberation Islamic Front of Azawad.
This film-documentary tells about the abandonment of old ways of life of the nomads caused by sedentary life, the difference between ‘houses of skin’ (the tents) and ‘houses of dirt’, the desire of peace imposed by women and, as last, the journey of two young people, different in race and enemy toward each other , a Tuareg and a Bambara, through a dream made of sand, light, water, peace, where bodies are mixed inside a long drape, a blu shesh.
Credits
Written by Isabella Sandri
Filmed by Isabella Sandri
Editing Isabella Sandri, Rosella Mocci
Music Epsilon Indi
Production Organizer Alessandro Bolzoni
Postproduction Sergio De Vito
Assistent Director and Interpreter Alalya Mint Sidi Mohamed
Cast
Bajan Ag Hamatou
Alalya Mint Sidi Mohamed
Sidi Ould Sidi Mar
Abbas Haidara
Arudeni Ag Hamatou
Tabingoukoutt Ag Bilal
Baye Ag Alhassane
Lafti Ag Sidi Mohamed
Mossa Ag Badi
Fatta Walet
Halimatou Walet Sotber
Taklit Walet Mala
Oma Ichidinharene
Madina Ichidinharene
Fadimatt Ichidinharene
Tinsibane Walet
Sidi Mohamed Ould Wanassi
Aichatta Walet Akli
Seidi Ag
Souleymane Ag
Tintanere Walet Haidara
Lalla Walet Ahmed
Dahia Walet Ahmed
Dilghid Ould Babani
Magania Mint
Acherifa
Mbarka
Klili Ag Sando
Manaky Walet
Mohamed Ba
Clement Uzabakiriho