"This film is freely adapted from Camara Laye's The Dark Child, 1953." "15 years after the writer's death, the Camara family wanted to relive and act out this tale transposed to modern Guinea for the big screen." "THE DARK CHILD" "One day, a gold merchant came to my village." "I never thought this would change my life." "His name was Mr Traore and he was always in a hurry with his Simson scooter." "He went straight to Madou's garage." "Madou is my father, and my father is our best mechanic." " Hello, Mr Welder!" " How's my brother?" " Are you well?" " Very well." "I have a problem." " I want to go to Conakry." " Conakry!" "Help me find a taxi." "A taxi?" "From here to Conakry?" "A taxi?" "That's quite a way." "It's too far!" "Too far." "It will be expensive." "Give me your price." "My price?" "To Conakry?" "But it's too far!" "To Conakry..." "About... 100...150,000..." "about 100,000." "All right." "It's a deal." "I'm going to give you an advance." "As long as you get it ready for tomorrow." "Understand?" "Hold your hand out." "Is that okay?" "Mr Madou, I'm counting on you." "All right." "Thank you." "A taxi to Conakry!" "The gold merchant is rich, with pockets full of nuggets." "Everyone wants to help him but only to make Mr Traore's pockets lighter!" "Come over here, boys!" "Hurry up!" "You, you, you and you!" "You stay there!" "Right, wash this clean for me." "And fast!" "Pour some water over here." "Damn, it's flooded." "Lassidan, Deka and Douada are my friends." "If God lets us live long, we'll always be together." "We're inseparable." "Baba, come here!" "You're always late!" " Where were you?" " At the river..." "Can't you come home sooner?" "I washed a motorbike." "Here's the money." "Go and see your mother!" "Where were you?" "At the river." "You never listen to what we say." "If you stay out after dark, you know your father will tell you off." "Look at the state your shirt is in!" "At the river, there are snakes and scorpions too." "You know, until you come home..." "I can't sleep a wink." "Keeping the yard clean." "The schoolyard is big." "Every morning before classes start, the teacher gets us all to sweep the yard." "We remove all rubbish from the yard to keep mosquitoes away." "Mosquito bites can cause malaria." "The schoolyard must be clean to prevent disease." "My village has a school." "Every village has to have one." "We learn French there." "My country has 26 languages so it's hard to understand each other." "Mosquito bites can cause malaria." "Cause what?" "Malaria." "You!" "Mosquito bites can cause ma..." "Me, sir!" "What can they cause?" "When a mosquito bites you, what can that cause?" "Mosquito bites can cause malaria." "So, how must the schoolyard be?" "I've always seen my mother work." "When I go to bed at night, she's working and when I wake, she's already at work." "Her name's Kouda." "She's my father's second wife." "My father chose her well because she's the sweetest on earth." "Madou?" "Mr Madou!" "I don't believe it!" "Where's that damn mechanic?" "Madou will be here later." "Calm down." "He's not far." "Don't worry, he'll be here." "The bastard should be here now!" "The boy's totally crazy!" "Young people today!" "Kid!" "Who?" "Me?" "Where's your father?" "Out in the fields." "Take me to him!" "Come on, get on!" "Our rice harvest is a celebration." "If it's good, we'll be able to eat every day." "Everyone stocks up." "Everyone except Mr Traore." "All he can talk of is his trip to Conakry." "Fetch him for me." "Hurry!" "Hi, boss." "Okay?" " No!" " Why?" "You're harvesting!" "What about my trip?" "The rice could spoil." "You're hopeless!" " So are you..." " I don't understand!" "You lose your temper so fast." "You shouldn't." "I've got some good news." "The joint arrived from Kankan." " From Kankan." " It's here!" "I told you it would be." "Promise?" "I'm counting on you." " Okay." " Agreed?" "Catch a chicken for me!" "My father mended Mr Traore's taxi yesterday." "It's strange, he's been looking at me since." "See Baba there?" "I want him to study at university to support the family." "He deserves more than a forge or a workshop." "Where will he go?" "To stay with his Uncle Moussa." "A long way!" "How will he go?" "I just mended a taxi." "I trust the man to take him." "Hello." "How's my daughter-in-law?" " And the children?" " They're well." "I've heard talk that Baba... is leaving for Conakry." "No, he won't go!" "He doesn't know anyone there." "He must go..." "No, he's my oldest son." "You can consult someone... but his father has made his mind up and his uncles agree." "Well, I don't." "You can find out if the trip is possible..." "Whether you like it or not, he must leave." "My mother wouldn't listen to my grandmother." "My father had decided and went to consult old Lansene." "We can't do anything without Lansene." "You must sacrifice a goat and a red rooster." "Your son will travel..." "No harm will befall him." "That is what I see..." "Old Lansene is our fetisher." "When he was born, he had a twin, but his brother died." "Now he speaks with his brother in heaven." "That's how he sees things that we'll experience one day." "The spirits have spoken." "Did you hear?" "A goat and a rooster..." "You must make this sacrifice..." "Your son will go on a long journey." "He will be in good health." "Baba, the spirits have spoken." "Your journey can be made." "You are my first son." "You will complete your studies in Conakry." "A long time ago, your Uncle Laye, my elder brother... made the same journey." "This is his photo." "He went to the land of the white men." "He wrote books." "Through his books, he became famous." "He's the pride of our family." "His intelligence came to him from your grandfather." "Baba, you are a member of a great family." "Your grandfather Komadi was the best goldsmith in Kouroussa." "Gold is a key that opens many doors." "It symbolizes intelligence and purity." "It's also a burden that can destroy an entire family." "Before starting work, he would smear his body with oil." "He would go to the forge, and there, he would have a visit" "from the black snake who was our family spirit." "He would gently stroke it..." "Then the snake would hide." "Then your grandfather would start his work." "But it wasn't just a job." "There was much more to it... a magical operation" "that the spirits could grant or refuse." "Baba is going away..." "No one can accept such a decision." "What have I done to you, God?" "What did I do to deserve this?" "Why are you taking my first son away?" "Baba is so tiny..." " Hello, Mr Stationmaster!" " Hello, Mr Madou!" " How are you?" " Very well." "The train wil be here any minute now." "I'd rather take a taxi." " You'd do better to wait." " No, the taxi's here!" "Clean up the track here!" " How are you?" " Fine." " You're late." " I had family problems." "It's all ready." "Hurry up now!" "Madou, you great mechanic!" "Thank you." "Here's your taxi." "Wonderful." "Hurry up and load it!" "Here's the rest of the money." "Is that right?" "I asked about the child..." "Give this to his uncle." "Then give him two thousand francs." "So the child won't be a burden." "All right." "May God protect you." "Take care of yourself." "Don't cry, mother." "Be careful in the street." "All aboard!" "May God protect you." "Look at the bikes!" "They go out to the villages like that." "That's a minibus." "It carries people." "Look at the bridge!" "That bridge is for pedestrians." "To avoid crossing the road with all the cars." "That's a company." "Simson motorbikes." "That's what they're bringing to sell." " What's this?" " Another company." "That's the square for sheep." "If you want one, you come here." "They're very expensive." "An accident!" "Yes, there's too many cars here." " Madina station." " Unbelievable!" " A taxi station!" " Really unbelievable!" "There's too many cars..." "Unbelievable!" "This is normal." "It's the capital!" "See the taxi station?" "Look!" "Wait here." "I'll take him to his uncle and then come back." "Is this the teacher's block?" "Yes, it is." " Do you know Uncle Moussa Keita?" " I don't know him." "But this is building B!" "It's over there." " Buy my oranges!" " Later." "All right." "Hello there." "How are you?" "I'll be living with Uncle Moussa but I don't know what he's like." "He left the village before I was born and hasn't been back since." "It's Mr Traore from Kouroussa, sent by the Camara family." " Yes, hello." " Hello, are you well?" "I'm well." "Is Uncle Moussa in?" " Can I see him?" " Come in." "Come on, boy." "What's your name?" "My name's Baba Camara." "Come with us." "Sit down." " How are things in Kouroussa?" " Fine, fine." " Are you well?" " Very well." " And here?" "Your children?" " They're well." "Did you leave Kouroussa long ago?" "A while ago." "How are things in Kouroussa?" "Are you tired?" "A little." "Mr Keita is praying." " Not too hot?" " A little." "But I'm all right." "You never saw that in the village." "Strangers..." "It's Uncle Moussa." "Thank God." " Is Madou well?" " He's fine." " Is Kouda well?" " She's fine." " And the children?" " They're fine." "The Camaras send their greetings." "Thank God." "Madou sent this for you." "And sent his son Baba too." "He said to watch over him, that he's counting on you..." " God bless the Camaras." " Amen." " God bless us all." " Amen." "Welcome." "So this is little Baba." "No, don't get up." "You're tired." " How was the trip?" " Very long." "Very long." "You're here now, so it's all over." "Baba Camara, dark child, I'm your Uncle Moussa." "You're tired, huh?" "Take the boy and give him a wash." "I'll show him round after." "Baba, come with me." " How are things?" " Fine." " How are you?" " Well." " How's Kouroussa?" " Fine." "And the big bridge?" "Take your shirt off." "No, auntie!" "Take it off." "No, auntie..." "Children, introduce yourselves each in turn, understand?" " You." " Sire Keita." "My first daughter." "You." "Aicha Keita." "My third daughter." "And you." "M'Fama Keita." "My last one or the youngest." "You." "Aboubacar Keita." "My third son." "And you." "Aichman Keita." "My second son." "You." "Saran Keita." "My second daughter." "And you." " Mamady Keita." " My first son." "This is Baba Camara, Madou Camara's son." "Baba's from Kouroussa." "That's where they dance the "Doudoumba"." "Know it?" "It's the dance of strong men." "And to be a strong man..." "When I was a child, we had to face the lion, the "Konde"." "Do you know the "Kondendiara"?" "No, I don't know it." "But my father does." "Everything's modern now." "It was another time." "I remember the "Kondendiara" very well." "We were scared..." "Very scared..." "They took us in the dark." "It was frightening." "The silence of the bush." "In the distance, there was a big, big fire." "That's where they took us." "And when they shouted, "On your knees!", we all hid, we were so scared." "The lion roared, not just one." "There were at least ten or twenty lions." "See that?" "That's the salty sea." "There's salt in it." "Salt?" "There's tons of salt in it." "Take a taste of it." "See!" "It's not the fresh water of Kouroussa's river." "You can't even drink it." "Look at the port." "There are ships from China, Korea," "France, Holland and Russia." "All kinds of ships come to the port." "There are swimming pools on the ships, football pitches..." "There are houses on those ships!" "You can spend four months on those ships without getting off." "One day, when you finish your studies, you'll be able to travel..." "By ship to Dakar..." "You can go to France by ship or to Cuba..." "To Spain by ship or to Japan..." "You can even go to Belgium." "Understand?" "And you'll have the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean all that way away." "Now, it will soon be high tide." "The sea is coming in." "It comes in and out..." "In and out." "Make an effort, Baba." "Look at your cousins using spoons." "Stop that and use a spoon too." "This isn't Kouroussa, it's the capital." "I went to see the head at his new school." "He's ready to take him." "Good." "It's a good school." "Even ambassadors' children go there." "He'll need a medical check-up first because he's from the bush." "Understand, Baba?" "We'll do that tomorrow." "Baba, that's good." "It will be all right, don't worry." " I'll take him." " Thank you." "Come on, Baba." "I'll introduce you." "The head is a toubabou." "That's what we call white men." "His name's Mr Albert but uncle says it's Brother Albert since he's on a mission." "Sit down." "I'm here to introduce your new classmate." "But first a question." "Who has read "The Dark Child"?" "Ibrahima." "I've read that novel." "Who wrote it?" "Camara Laye." "Well, Baba here is Camara Laye's nephew." "He'll introduce himself." "Get on the stage." " What's your name?" " Baba Camara." " Where are you from?" " I'm from Kouroussa." "And where is Kouroussa?" "Kouroussa is near the Djoliba." "The Djoliba is another name for the River Niger." "And Kouroussa is here." "What does your father do?" "He's a mechanic." " Louder." " He's a mechanic." "What does he mend?" "He mends cars, motorbikes, even watches." "Watches?" "He mends watches." "In villages, they mend everything." "All mechanics mend watches." "Now I'll show you your desk." "I'm counting on you others... to help him." "He's just arrived so he's missed a lot." "Try to help him." "Now back to work." "Breathe deeply." "Breathe deeply." "Turn round." "Breathe deeply." "Okay, that's fine." "Open your mouth." "Okay, good." "Open your eyes." "That's good." "The ears and glands are fine." "Come here!" "Are you afraid?" "Oh, come on!" "You're not circumcised?" " I am!" " You've been circumcised?" "When?" " I don't know." " You don't know..." " Do you know the "soli"?" " No." "You don't?" "I'll tell you about the "soli"." "Mrs Cisse!" "Bring me a chair here." "Sit down." "First of all, the "soli" is a dance that you see in the bush." "But the real "soli"" "is when you plant the bean that sprouts." "Those two things rise up..." "That's what you grab and then..." "Toss them aside!" "Understand that?" "Now, the initiates are brought to the dance... their hands on each other's shoulders." "Like this..." "You see?" "You get in the middle of the circle." "They cut all your hair off." "Shorn off!" "Totally bare." "In the bush, the dance is in full swing." "Under the kapok tree, it's in full swing!" "It's something!" "See that?" "Watch closely." "They take you into the bush out there." "Out there..." "All the way out there!" "Don't be afraid." "And don't cry!" "You mustn't cry." "If you cry there, you'll lose your whole life." "Your whole life." "We're Muslims and circumcision is obligatory." "Today, we're circumcised at birth but before it was terrible." "Crying meant you weren't a man." "The shame of it would last till your death." "He robbed me!" "There's your bag." "Look, he stole everything." "He took the lot." "Look!" "Your card." " I don't have a card." " Your card!" "Can you pay for a ticket?" " No." " Why?" "He robbed me." "Right, get out!" "Look at my bag!" "Out!" "I can't waste time!" "Get out!" "If you've got cards, come on." "You again!" "No card, no ticket!" "Get out!" "But, sir..." "It's Lieutenant Kabine!" "Yes!" "Baba, where were you?" "Is that yours?" "He's my child." " Don't do it again." " Yes, sir." "Letting children roam the streets..." " You know Conakry." " It's not right." " It's not normal." " All right, chief." "Come on, time for school!" "Auntie, I'm ill." "Ill?" "What's wrong?" "My head hurts." "Get up." "It'll pass, okay?" "Get up a while." "Get up a while." "It'll pass." "Lie down." "I'll get you some water." "Come here." "Let the boy sleep." "Fifth floor, paediatrics." "Let's go." "Your child is here." "Don't stay long and try not to make too much noise." "Thank you, doctor." "Auntie, I want to leave." "No!" "Why?" "I want to leave." "No, rest here for a while." "You need to rest." "I have to speak Susu." "I can't speak French or Malinke." "Calm down, it'll be okay." "Here's a present for you." "It's from Kouroussa." "It's for you." "You have to open it." "I'll read it for you." "Listen carefully." ""Dear son," ""I'm well." "I hope you, your uncle and his family are too." ""Since you left till now, we've had no news from you." ""Your mother asks every day whether you'll come home or not." ""You must study hard because you're my first son" ""and I'm counting on you." ""With love and best regards." ""Your father, Madou Camara," ""mechanic and garage-owner, Kouroussa."" "Here, it's for you." "You can keep it." "Calm down." "I think you're pleased now." " Are you pleased?" " Yes." " What do you want to eat?" " Sweets." "The chief doctor said" "I had to rest a month at my uncle's home." "I won't go to school for a while." "I'm sure my father won't be at all pleased!" " Hello, beauty." " Hello, Keita." " How are you?" " Fine, thanks." "What are you cooking today?" "Meat." "A meat stew." "Congratulations!" "The children will be pleased." "What's cooking?" "Nothing, I came in to encourage you." "You work hard, I've made you suffer." "The Keita children's mother." "You're getting tired." "No, I do it all for you." "I know." "The housework, cooking, looking after the children." "It's too much." "You need help now, you're tired." "Sire's here, she can help me." "She has to study at school." "She's a woman." "She must learn how." "True, she must learn." "But you know your daughter." "I have an idea." "I'll take a second wife so you can rest." "What?" "A second wife!" "Why?" "After everything that I've done for you!" "I don't want that!" "I don't!" "I'm dead against it!" "You need rest." "I don't want that, I said!" "What's got into you?" "Who makes the decisions here?" "I'm saying I don't want that!" "Who decides, you or me?" "I'm head of the family!" "I don't want it!" "When I decide, I decide!" "My decision is final!" "I've decided to marry a younger woman!" "Do you understand?" "What's wrong, Auntie?" "My aunt cried for weeks and weeks." "But men always decide in our country." "If you're rich, you can have one, two, three or four wives if you want." "Even God agrees with that." "What event is this fine suit for?" "For a wedding very soon." "Congratulations." "He's going to have a nice wedding." "He's young, he'll have many children." "That shirt's too big." "No, it's perfect, look." "I can make a good price." "You Lebanese people, instead of working well, you talk rubbish!" "I'll make two suits, one for his second wedding..." " I need only one." " A bargain!" "He'll need a second suit for the second wedding." "The more wives, the more suits." "Tomorrow, I'll have a new aunt." "My uncle is proud and has splashed out." "Everyone has been invited to the reception." "Let's have a round of applause for the happy couple." "Mr and Mrs Keita!" "Put more effort into it!" "Mrs Keita, your man is yours and yours alone." "Put your arm around his neck." "This man was made for you." "My son, if you wish to live in peace, you need a wife." "Then your life will be peaceful and you'll be respected." "With one wife, your life will be peaceful." "But if you take two wives, you'll have conflicts and many arguments." "If you take three wives, it will be worse..." "If you take four, you'll need a fetisher every day." "Tonight, there'll be no more words..." "Switch off the light, close the curtains..." "Take off your clothes and your bra..." "And then..." "Get to bed, children!" "Come in!" "Get to bed!" "I thank you sincerely." "My greetings to your family." "Madam, if you please." "Today is a great day." "Let me introduce your sister." "She's your sister, not your co-wife." "She's here to help you raise your children." "She'll always be at your service." "Don't worry, darling." "Time will ease her sorrow." "Don't you worry." " Diaka?" " Yes." " Are you ready yet?" " Yes." "I want you to go out with Baba today." "All right." "I don't want him to stay with my first wife." "She's too sad now." "Baba!" "Come here." "You're going out with your aunt today." "I don't want you here alone." "Did you have a good night?" " Is he kind to you?" " He's nice." "Thank God!" " Was he kind to you?" " Perfect." "Sit down." "This is my first son, Baba Camara." "He's a handsome boy." "He's like his father." "Married two days and already a son!" "That's fast work!" "I just love my husband." "Ladies and gentlemen!" "Tonight, we're bringing you the Sirens of Guinea." "You all know these sisters very well." "They're the capital's best musicians." "So let's hear it for the Sirens of Guinea!" "My new aunt's name is Diaka." "She won the police guitar contest and joined the Sirens right after." "I like her." "She gave me some money to carry her amplifier and guitar." "When my friends hear about me and these women, they'll be jealous of me for sure!" " Is Baba here?" " Yes, he is." " Say hello." " Hello, sir." " Who are you?" " My name's Maria Fofana." "Who's your father?" "Ibrahim Fofana." "The famous lawyer!" "I know him well." "But what do you want?" "Can Baba play with us today?" "All right." "A friend's here for you!" "Not a friend, his girlfriend!" "Sire, go with them, I'd feel better." "I'd feel better." "Don't be back too late." "Don't worry, auntie." "Do you understand?" "Do you?" "Do you understand "ignadjidje"?" "It means:" ""You'll see, the day will come."" ""Nimmassa, nimmassa" means:" ""If I don't die first"..." "You won't die?" "Don't worry, I won't." "Because I'm going to my village." "If I come back, I want to see you." "Don't worry, I won't die." "Don't worry." "Marie Fofana is my girlfriend now and no one else's." "Maybe one day, God willing, she'll be my wife." "I'll have to speak to my father." "I hope he'll let me live in Conakry." "This is today's exercise." "We have to check if this table is a proportional table..." "Sit down, children." "Is Baba Camara here today?" "Come on, the headmaster wants you." "I'll need him for a while." "He'll be back." "Come in!" "It's you, Baba." "Sit down." "What were you doing?" "Mathematics." " Do you enjoy it?" " Yes." "I've spoken to your uncle... and you'll repeat the year." "It's because you were ill." "You spent two months in hospital." "Of course, it's not your fault but you need to repeat this year." "All right?" "You can rest over the holidays." "And then do the year again in September." "Are you going away?" "Yes, to my village." " What's your village called?" " Kouroussa." "Wait for me here!" "That's a nice bike." "Who's been spoiling you?" "Baba's back!" "You've got a girlfriend?" "You were busy with all the pretty women!" "That's why you never gave us any news!" "Go on, tell us!" "Where's my shirt?" "Baba, come here!" "All your clothes are dirty." "Only this is clean." "All these clothes!" "My uncle's very kind to me." "Seen your father?" "Where is he?" "It's only been one year and you no longer know where his hut is?" "Come in." "Sit down." "I'm pleased to see you." "Is your mind still in Conakry?" "I've got photos of Conakry." "They're beautiful." "Who's that?" "My uncle's wife." "Very nice." "You've got a fancy suit!" " Will you give it to me?" " Yes!" " Who's this?" " My girlfriend." " Can I keep it?" " No!" "That's the school." "It's a nice school." "You know..." "You were lucky to go to Conakry." "I gave up school when I was 11." "But I've travelled a lot." "I've been to Bamako, Conakry..." "I've seen Dakar, Abidjan..." "But I always believed that I should return to the land of our ancestors." "You know, life is hard here." "You've been to school in Conakry." "If God so wishes, one day you'll go to a more important one." "But, my son, never forget where you're from." "We all take the path one day, the path of life that is only the temporary path of our exile." "Camara Laye"