Sidewalk Café presents Moolaadé, the final film from African cinema’s founding father, Ousmane Sembene, for viewing next Tuesday.

Moolaadé is a potent polemic directed against the still common practice of female circumcision. Though the subject matter may seem weighty, this buoyant film is anything but – Sembene places the action amid a colourful vibrant tapestry of village life, employing an imaginative array of emblematic metaphors, mythic overtones and rousing songs.

In a small village, four young girls seek refuge with Colle Ardo Gallo Sy to flee the purification ritual. Tension mounts as Colle faces off with traditionalists. Colle casts a “moolaade” spell, which will bring harm to anyone who attempts to hurt those under Colle’s care.

Colle finds few supporters in a village where tradition is sacred and change is regarded with great suspicion; the men who rule the tribe and the women who conduct the purification rituals both make their displeasure clear, but none can persuade Colle to vanquish the spell, which the others are obligated to respect. This critically shows Sembene’s fiery criticism of the problems of modern Africa while being a passionate advocate of African pride and autonomy.

The film is loaned by Red Thread and viewing is at 7 pm. Admission is free.