Writer-director Fanta Régina Nacro of Burkina Faso was already well known on the international festival circuit for her award-winning shorts when she released this feature film about violence between two ethnic groups in a fictional West African country. After 10 years of bloody war between the (also fictional) Nayaks and Bonandés, the leaders of each faction come together to make peace, an effort threatened by cynicism, mistrust and a history of atrocities on both sides. Resonating with actual events in South Africa, Sierra Leone and Rwanda, the film is notable for having a female perspective, particularly in the intense performance of professional actress Naky Sy Savané as a woman grief-stricken over her son's death and is bent on vengeance. Most of the rest of cast is made up of nonprofessionals, including many members of the Burkina Faso military. The film was conceived in memory of Nacro's uncle, who was brutally murdered after being accused of fomenting anti-government actions. Shot in eight weeks with mainly hand-held cameras in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, La nuit de la verité won awards at film festivals around the world. Upon its release in the U.S. in February 2006, The New York Times review acknowledged the difficulty of watching vivid depictions of gruesome atrocities but highly recommended its “originality and heart…showing us that the stain of violence is never completely erased.” Nacro was the first woman from her country to direct a fiction film, the short Un certain matin (1991).
by Rob Nixon
La Nuit de la Verite
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Fanta Regina Nacro
Naky Sy Savane
Commandant Moussa Cisse
Georgette Pare
Adama Ouedraogo
Sami Rama
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Genocide is not far from the minds of the Nyak and Bonande peoples, who have been locked in a decade of civil war. Now, Le Président, the president and commander of the Nyak national army, and Colonel Theo, controller of the Bonande rebel army, are determined to end the conflict. A meeting is arranged, but there is still much cynicism on both sides and tension builds as the evening wears on. Drums have been banned as they were the signal that unleashed the slaughter in the past. However, the village jester, Tomoto, a Nyak-hater skeptical of reconciliation, indignantly decides to beat the drums during the festivities. The sound becomes a trigger that releases the feelings of distrust and fear that have been suppressed by both sides.
Director
Fanta Regina Nacro
Cast
Naky Sy Savane
Commandant Moussa Cisse
Georgette Pare
Adama Ouedraogo
Sami Rama
Rasmane Ouedraougo
Captain Yves Thombiano
Captain Claude Kabore
Odilia Yoni
Cedric Zida
Raissa Andrea Yoni
Blandine Yameogo
Serge Henry
Ben Idriss Zoungrana
Rasmane Ouedraogo
Crew
Malick Boro
Yann Brolli
Andree Davanture
Dana Farzanehpour
Marc Gautron
Kouka Honore
Nara Keo Kosal
Nara Keo Kosal
Christian Lajoumard
Claire Lajoumard
Claire-agnfs Lajoumard
Patrice Mendez
Carmen Arbues Miro
Fanta Regina Nacro
Fanta Regina Nacro
Gambetta Nacro
Sami Rama
Fabien Ricour-lambard
Alphonse Sanou
Meyma Sidibe
Gregoire Simpore
Martine Some
Eric Tisserand
Bill Mamadou Traore
Troupe Naba Yaadega
Desire Zido
Aminata Zoure
Film Details
Technical Specs
Articles
La nuit de la verite
La nuit de la verite
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Winter February 3, 2006
Released in United States on Video March 20, 2007
Released in United States September 2004
Released in United States 2005
Released in United States January 2006
Shown at San Sebastian International Film Festival September 17-25, 2004.
Shown at Tribeca Film Festival April 19-May 1, 2005.
Shown at Palm Springs International Film Festival (World Cinema Now) January 5-16, 2006.
Released in United States Winter February 3, 2006
Released in United States on Video March 20, 2007
Released in United States September 2004 (Shown at San Sebastian International Film Festival September 17-25, 2004.)
Released in United States 2005 (Shown at Tribeca Film Festival April 19-May 1, 2005.)
Released in United States January 2006 (Shown at Palm Springs International Film Festival (World Cinema Now) January 5-16, 2006.)
