As part of the 20th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival, Pouvoirs d’Afrique met with the Franco-Senegalese director Ramata-Toulaye Sy to discuss her debut feature film titled "Banel & Adama," which is in official competition. "Banel & Adama" has been selected in various international festivals, including the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. It will also represent Senegal at the Oscars in 2024. The film has been praised by critics as the "accomplished debut of a promising director." Through the characters of Banel and Adama, the film explores aspirations for emancipation and freedom within a traditional community in a village in Fouta, Senegal.
Ramata-Toulaye Sy, what is your film "Banel & Adama" about?
It's the story of Banel and Adama, two young people in love. It takes place in Senegal in Fouta, and their love will bring chaos to the community. It's primarily a story of a woman seeking emancipation, freedom, and absolute fulfillment. So, I believe that women around the world, as well as men, can identify with Banel and Adama.
What messages are you trying to convey through the story of Banel and Adama?
It's really a film that I wanted to be coherent and realistic regarding customs and traditions. It doesn't say that one gender is better than the other. I just present the conditions and realities of what people experience, whether they are men or women because Adama also faces many difficulties as a man in this society. And I try to find solutions.
Is this your way of describing certain problems in Senegalese and more broadly African society?
It's truly a story of community and individuality, exploring how to find one's individuality within a community, especially in these traditions. The character of Banel, who is very complex, somewhat selfish, self-centered, and thinks a lot about herself, can spark debates in our very African communities.
There's often a bit or even a lot of oneself in artistic creation; is that the case for you as well?
There's a lot of me in the character of Banel; I am very rebellious, very independent, and genuinely in search of freedom. So yes, there is a lot of me in the film.
"Banel & Adama" has been selected in various festivals. What do these selections mean to you?
It means a lot in Morocco since there is a large Senegalese community there. It's in Africa. And indeed, there have been many African films this year at Cannes and in all festivals. I'm very happy to see that African cinema is finally finding its place in international festivals.
How do you avoid falling into stereotypes when making a film about Africa?
One must be careful. I think it's time for us, young directors, to tell different stories than what we're used to seeing in Africa, to go beyond naturalistic cinema and try genre cinemas, for example. My film is magical realism, so we should try not to make cinema solely about societal issues.
Be honest and write the film you want to make, see, and not just what people expect from us. I believe that, as Africans, when we are honest with ourselves, we rarely fall into stereotypes.
What are your future projects?
For now, I am touring with "Banel & Adama," which represents Senegal at the Oscars, so I'm attending many festivals, and it's being released in many countries. So, I'm actively supporting the film right now.