Cinema
A Taxi for Aouzou
Un taxi pour Aouzou
Issa Serge Coelo · 1994
Synopsis
Ali, a taxi driver in N'Djamena, is about to become a father. In the course of his fares, from one district of the capital to another, he tells of his life, his dreams and the obstacles he meets, amid the obsessions of a violent society. He is not a hero but a simple and dignified man, who keeps his optimism in a difficult and sometimes dangerous environment and turns his gaze towards the hope of a better life. The car's route composes a portrait of the Chad of those years.
Context
This first fiction short film by the filmmaker was shot in 1994, when the Aouzou Strip was returning to Chad: the International Court of Justice had ruled in the country's favour in February, and the Libyan troops completed their withdrawal in June. The filmmaker paints a portrait of a capital scarred by years of civil war. Shot on 35 mm and in colour, in N'Djamena and its surroundings, the film was produced in France by Movimento Production, with music by Safy Boutella. It was shown in Paris in 1996 at the Cinéma du réel festival, in a programme devoted to Africas.
Who it is for
A twenty-two-minute fiction film, in Arabic; a few points of reference on the conflict with Libya shed light on the title.
Prizes and reception
Awarded prizes at several festivals, according to the New York African Film Festival, it was nominated for the César for best short film in 1997.
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