Les âmes du Fouta

In a Fulani village in northern Senegal, Penda and Moustapha await the arrival of the body of their only son Demba who, at just 17 years old, has died of an overdose in the capital, Dakar. While the funeral is scheduled for the following day, Moustapha refuses to bury their child in the family grave. According to him, the circumstances of Demba’s death have rendered his son’s soul impure. The devastated Penda opposes this decision and seeks advice from her mother. Moustapha, for his part, debates with the other men of the village, but remains steadfast in his position. Just like Antigone in the Greek tragedy, Penda defies male authority and is determined to offer her son a dignified burial, regardless of the traditions and judgemental stares.