“Camp de Thiaroye” will be screened 36 years after being banned in France

Camp de Thiaroye will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival after being banned in France upon its release in 1988. This film by Senegalese directors Ousmane Sembene and Thierno Faty Sow will be broadcast in the Cannes Classics category. Created to pay homage to old landmark films in the film industry, the Cannes Classics selection has chosen to pay homage, this year, to one of the most notable African films of its time, reports the Ecofin agency visited by Senego.

During the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, its restored version will be broadcast. Camp de Thiaroye recounts the massacre of Senegalese riflemen during the year 1944. Returning from the Second World War, these soldiers were massacred on the orders of French officers after having demanded compensation. Produced by Senegal, Tunisia and Algeria in 1988, the film was restored by “The Film Foundation” as well as several partners.

According to the Ecofin agency, the choice of Camp de Thiaroye masks a virtual absence of African cinema at this edition of the Cannes Film Festival. Indeed, no film from the continent is part of the official selection. The two African films announced for the moment are in the “Un certain regard” section which rewards filmmakers who are still unknown but have made daring films. This year, we find the Zambian Rungano Nyoni with “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl”, as well as the film “The Village Next Paradise” by Somali director Mo Harawe.