Wallay

‘But I’m not from here, I don’t even speak the language. What the fuck is going on? I’ll tell Mam!’

The Swiss director depicts everyday life in Burkina Faso through the eyes of 13-year-old Ady. Ady actually lives in France, but his father has decided to send him off on a long journey to relatives in West Africa. The boy is super excited at the prospect of a laid-back vacation in his father's country of origin, but when he finally gets there his uncle’s welcome is cold and reproachful.. The other members of the family are happy to see this visitor from afar and try to conciliate but Ady soon realises that his trip will not provide much in the way of relaxation. Fictional cinematic story-telling against a documental backdrop and Wallay is a further project from Berni Goldblat devoted to the cultural life of his adopted homeland.
by Berni Goldblat
with Makan Nathan Diarra, Ibrahim Koma, Hamadoun Kassogué, Mounira Kankolé, Joséphine Kaboré
France / Burkina Faso / Qatar 2017 French, Dioula 84’ Colour recommendation: 12 years and up

With

  • Makan Nathan Diarra (Ady)
  • Ibrahim Koma (Jean)
  • Hamadoun Kassogué (Amadou)
  • Mounira Kankolé (Yéli)
  • Joséphine Kaboré (Mam)

Crew

Director Berni Goldblat
Screenplay David Bouchet
Cinematography Martin Rit
Editing Laurent Sénéchal
Music Vincent Segal
Sound Mathieu Perrot
Sound Editing Vincent Vatoux
Sound Mixing Yoann Veyrat
Production Design Papa Kouyaté
Costumes Huguette Goudjo
Make-Up Ama Lingani
Casting Soone Lan, Georgette Paré
Assistant Director Victor Baussonnie
Production Managers Antoine Delahousse, Paul Sergent, Faissol Gnonlonfin
Producer Nicolas Anthomé
Co-Producer Berni Goldblat
Co-Production Les films du Djabadjah Bobo-Dioulasso
Rhône-Alpes Cinéma Villeurbane
Rezo productions Paris
Canal+ Overseas Paris
Doha Film Institute Doha

Berni Goldblat

Born in 1970, he has been directing, producing and distributing films since 1999, mainly documentaries made in West Africa or about the region. He co-founded Cinomade in 2000, an association in Burkino Faso aimed at creating and disseminating audio-visual awareness-raising tools. In 2006 he established Les films du Djabadjah production company, also in Burkino Faso. His feature documentary Ceux de la Colline screened at over 50 international festivals. He is also a trainer and has been a member of the jury for the African Movie Academy Awards for ten years. Wallay is his feature film debut.

Filmography

2001 Doni-doni b'an bela; documentary 2009 Ceux de la colline; documentary 2015 Ciné Guimbi souvenirs; short documentary 2017 Wallay

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2017