Anthony Badu joined our ongoing series of guest speakers for our Francophone West African Cinema season by introducing Djibril Diop Mambéty’s Hyenas (1992).

Anthony is a writer, photographer and filmmaker based in London. In 2020, he co-founded the non-profit community arts project flat 70, based in Elephant & Castle.

Hyenas tells the story of Colobane, Senegal, a once-charming village now shattered by poverty. Linguère Ramatou (Ami Diakhate) returns with fabulous wealth and a promise to save her people. But, attached to this promise is a deadly bargain: Draman Drameh (Mansour Diouf) ― the lover who had betrayed a 16-year-old, pregnant Linguère ― must be executed. The announcement comes during a celebratory banquet in honour of her return, and the villagers, who had long forgotten the incident, are at once horrified, astonished, and indignant. While appearing to maintain a good moral conscience, the villagers are unable to resist the dazzling array of consumer goods at their fingertips, and so they begin to purchase on credit. While Linguere remains unshakable in her pursuit of justice, Draman’s initial self-interest and fear for his life soon give way to resignation and disdain for his fellow villagers.