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Zinder
IDFA 2021

Zinder

Aicha Macky
Niger, France, Germany
2021
84 min
Dutch Premiere
Festival history

From a hill in the Sahel region of Niger, a young boy looks out over the city of Zinder. Is this where his future lies? The contrast with the dusty streets below is huge. Many young Nigeriens without a place to learn or work join one of the gangs, or palais. Siniya Boy, an excitable bodybuilder, waves his palais’s flag, featuring the word Itleur (“Hitler”). He explains that Hitler was a fearless American warrior.

The filmmaker and activist Aicha Macky, who was born in Zinder, has come here to make an in-depth portrait of this young generation in the Kara Kara district—a former leper colony that is now home to the forgotten underprivileged. As well as Siniya Boy, we meet Bawo—a taxi driver and remorseful former palais leader—and Ramsess, a gas smuggler who describes themself as half-woman, half-man.

Close-ups of scars bear witness to violence, but with its surprisingly hopeful tone, Zinder shows that’s not all there is to life here. The tough poses, domestic moments, hazardous smuggling trips, personal stories, and scenes in the red light district and jail all come together in a candid exploration that evades the stereotypes.

Credits
Director
Production
    Clara Vuillermoz for Point du Jour - Les films du Balibari,
    Ousmane Samassekou for Tabous production,
    Erik Winker
    Clara Vuillermoz for Point du Jour - Les films du Balibari,
    Ousmane Samassekou for Tabous production,
    Erik Winker
Sound
    Abdoulaye Adamou Mato
    Abdoulaye Adamou Mato
Editing
    Karen Benainous
    Karen Benainous
Music
    Dominique Peter
    Dominique Peter
Sound Design
    Andreas Hildebrandt
    Andreas Hildebrandt
Involved TV Channel
    ARTE France,
    Al Jazeera Documentary Channel
    ARTE France,
    Al Jazeera Documentary Channel
Screening copy
    Andana Films
    Andana Films
World Sales
    Andana Films
    Andana Films

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