TIMBUKTU

Timbuktu

Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Academy Awards, Timbuktu brings the 2012 jihadist takeover of this historic region of Mali to searing and unforgettable yet rapturously beautiful life. The incursion of armed Islamic fundamentalists, who often can’t even speak the local language, irrevocably alters the previously peaceful and simple lives of the residents, particularly Kidane and his family. Despite the local imam’s protestations that the jihadists’ decrees (no music, no socializing, no soccer, women must be completely covered, etc.) go against true Islam, the invaders hold Sharia-based kangaroo courts and mete out swift and brutal punishment for even the smallest infraction (while non-gratuitous, the graphic nature of these punishments is depicted). After a tragic accidental death, Kidane, too, is caught up in their perversion of justice. Jay Weissberg of Variety says, “Abderrahmane Sissako confirms his status as one of the true humanists of recent cinema with this stunningly shot and deeply empathetic drama.” Dir: Abderrahmane Sissako / 2014 / Mauritania, France / French, Arabic, Bambara, English, & Songhay with English subtitles / 97 min / DCP

SCREENING: FRI 3/20 9:00; SAT 3/21 6:30; SUN 3/22 5:00; MON 3/23 9:00; TUE 3/24 6:30; WED 3/25 6:30; THU 3/26 9:00

box office opens ½ before screening time, tickets can be purchased at the box office at that time only.