Award-winning 'Moolaadé' to be screened

The film, in Bambara and French with English subtitles, tells the story of four young girls who flee to the household of Collé Ardo Gallo Sy (Fatoumata Coulibaly) in order to escape the ritual of female genital mutilation. Collé invokes the time-honoured custom of sanctuary (moolaadé) to protect them. Two values clash dramatically in this vibrant and life-affirming film, which was the last work of veteran director Ousmane Sembène.

FORWARD, an African diaspora-led organisation dedicated to improving the health and human rights of African girls and women in the UK and Africa, has given permission to screen 'Moolaadé' to the UCL community.

The awards won by 'Moolaadé' include: the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard Award and Prize of the Ecumenical Jury - Special Mention; the US National Society of Film Critics' Best Foreign Language Film; the Marrakech International Film Festival's Special Jury Award; and the Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival's Jury Award.

'Moolaadé' will be shown in the Cruciform Lecture Theatre 1, 6-8.10pm, on 18 March 2008. Entrance is free and there is no need to book.

Image: A scene from 'Moolaadé'