© TIFF
From the up-and-coming Senegalese director Ramate-Toulaye Sy, known for her 2021 Oscar-qualifying short ‘Astel’ and her remarkable screenplay for the 2019 Rwandan film ‘Our Lady of the Nile,’ comes her debut feature, “Banel & Adama.” Having made its debut in the prestigious competition at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the film manages to exceed all expectations and establishes Sy as a masterful storyteller. “Banel & Adama” is a searing romantic drama set in a remote Senegalese village, distinguished by its intimate characters and an intricate narrative that deftly tackles issues of tradition, gender, and disruptive climate change.
Original Title: Banel et Adama
Directed by: Ramata-Toulaye Sy
Year: 2023
Country: Senegal, France, Mali
Length: 87 minutes
The plot of “Banel & Adama” explores the complexities of love and tradition within a tightly-knit Senegalese community. The film delves into the lives of its eponymous characters: Banel, an iron-willed rebellious woman, and Adama, a reserved man, burdened by the weight of his expected role as future village leader, following the passing of his father and brother. Intent on crafting their own destiny, Banel and Adama plan to move into a house outside the village, one they themselves have dug out of a sandy landscape. The love story between the two teens promises liberation as they defy societal norms to live together outside the village. Their love is so encompassing and consuming that they, especially Banel, wish to see each other at all times, free from the societal norms that would otherwise constrain them.
However, just as the two are on the brink of realizing their newfound independence, their Edenic bubble suddenly bursts when an environmental catastrophe occurs. Nature itself appears to revolt against them, or at least that is what the people from the village believe is occurring. Cows in the village mysteriously die, the rains cease to pour, and the once-fertile land transforms into a desolate, sandy wasteland. The sky adopts an eerie white-yellow hue, and birds begin to migrate en masse, leaving behind an increasingly barren landscape. This apocalyptic twist raises haunting questions about whether their love and struggle for independence and autonomy will be able to survive in a dying world.
Banel embodies decades of collective suppressed female frustration caused by a patriarchal society, tired of living in a community that constantly limits her freedom. She is criticized for not wishing to bear a child and for her daring posture, both symbolizing her fight against oppressive traditions. Her powerful reclamation of her identity and autonomy becomes especially jarring when she quotes abolitionist Sojourner Truth, asking, “Ain’t I a woman?”
Director Ramata-Toulaye Sy creates a courageous and groundbreaking film that questions the status quo. Her work delivers a message that is both complex and nuanced. By establishing a strong connection between two separate themes, the director encourages viewers to think about the factors that hinder societal progress. While the villagers attribute the environmental crisis to Banel and Adama’s departure from tradition, the film suggests that climate change, not progressivism, is the true obstacle to society’s social transformation. Sy raises compelling questions about the intersections between gender equality, societal expectations, and environmental realities, arguing that the struggle for liberation is hindered not just by regressive norms but also by an unforgiving climate.
Technically, “Banel & Adama” is a visual and auditory spectacle. Its cinematography paints every astonishing frame with precision, adding a rich visual layer to the narrative. From the blues that dominate the frame during Adama’s storytelling about a fisherman at sea, to the muted colors that create a haunting atmosphere in the film’s darker moments, every detail is considered. The lighting beautifully illuminates the actors’ faces and clothes, highlighting their beauty. Subtle changes in color symbolism and gradually increasing spatial distance between the characters add layers to the emotional narrative. The sound design is equally impressive, immersing the audience in the natural world that plays such a crucial role in the story.
“Banel & Adama” is a cinematic marvel, a story immaculately woven with themes of love, rebellion, and societal norms, set against the looming backdrop of environmental collapse. With this film, Ramate-Toulaye Sy manages to exceed all expectations, demonstrating a level of craftsmanship that is nothing short of astonishing for a debut feature. Both visually stunning and intellectually challenging, “Banel & Adama” is a must-watch.
“Banel & Adama” screened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival as part of its Centrepiece lineup.
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