New York State Writers Institute - Classic Film Series

FARAW! MOTHER OF THE DUNES February 7, 2003 (Friday) at 7:30 p.m. Page Hall, 135 Western Avenue (Free and Open to the Public) (Mali, 1997, 90 minutes, color, 35mm) In Songhoï with English subtitles Directed by Abdoulaye Ascofaré Starring Aminata Ousmane Maïga, Amina Keïta and Balla Moussa Keïta

FARAW! is the epic tale of Zamiatou, a mother of three who lives in a blighted region of Mali on the edge of the Sahara Desert. When her husband, a former political prisoner, returns home physically and mentally unable to work, Zamiatou must do whatever she can to assure the survival of her family. The film swept the M-Net All Africa Film Awards in Pretoria, South African, earning Best Actress for Aminata Ousmane Maïga, a Malian housewife and first-time actress.