Masters and Slaves
(83 minutes) France/Niger
Director: Bernard Debord
Producer: Fabrienne Servan Schreiber

Description:

Although the government denies it, slavery still exists today in Niger. The feudal society of nomadic tribes recognizes two classes: the masters who own the animals and tents, and the slaves who carry out the work. Children can be sold. Legal prosecution of slave owners is impossible. Masters and Slaves follows a camel trail through the Sahel to the 20-year-old Boulboulou who has escaped with her baby. She lays claim to compensation for the work she performed under slavery, but fears her former master’s lethal revenge. The second story is about 26-year-old Tumajet who wants to take her teenage daughter away from her former owner. The young women’s battles are alternated with images of the arid desert and the ominous roars of the dromedaries.

Biography:

Bernard Debord, born in France in 1948, started writing and directing documentaries in 1989. Prior to film, he was a teacher for 15 years, including two years at the University of Peking. From 1992-1993 he was the chief editor for Amnesty International. His films include Nuits de Chine (1992), Las Mamitas de Lima (1995), Paroles de Hutus (1997), and Kosovo, l’année d’aprés (2000). He is also a co-founder of ZKO.

Contact Information:

Emmanuelle Cezard
CINETEVE
4 quai des Celestins
75004 Paris, France
E-mail: cineteve@cineteve.fr