Demba
The film takes the life of a middle-aged man to explore the tension between grief and healing, belonging and estrangement, mental health and psychiatric disorder. Its inspiration stems from a genuine question: How can a society that does not have a word for “depression” come to terms with it?
With
- Ben Mahmoud Mbow (Demba)
- Awa Djiga Kane (Awa)
- Mamadou Sylla (Bajjo)
- Aicha Talla (Oumy)
- Abdoulaye Dicko (Mayor)
- Saikou Lo (Salam)
- Mamadou Bayo Sarr (Pekane)
- Hamadi Baila (Rama)
Crew
Director | Mamadou Dia |
Screenplay | Mamadou Dia |
Cinematography | Sheldon Chau |
Editing | Alan Wu |
Music | John Corlis |
Sound Design | Eli Coen |
Sound | Ousmane Coly |
Production Design | Caterina Da Via |
Costumes | Salimata Ndiaye |
Make-Up | Anna Senghor |
Producer | Maba Ba |
Executive Producer | Oumy Djegane Niang |
Co-Producer | Nicole Gerhards |
World Sales
The Party Film Sales
Produced by
Additional information
With the support of: FOPICA-Senegal, Berlinale World Cinema Fund, Canal+ International, Doha Film Institute, Visions Sud Est
Mamadou Dia
The Senegalese director obtained his master’s degree in screenwriting and directing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. His feature film Nafi’s Father premiered at Locarno where it won the Best First Feature Award and the Golden Leopard in its section. The film was also Senegal’s official entry for the 2021 Oscars.
Filmography (selection)
2015 Contained; short film 2016 Samedi Cinema; short film 2019 Baamum Nafi (Nafi’s Father) 2024 Demba
Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2024