France / 2024 / 24mins / Drama / French and Soninke

In the 1980s, Sira, a young Malian woman, lives a peaceful life in France with her husband Malick and daughter Abi. Her daily life is lived in Soninke, the only language she knows. But Abi speaks French poorly, so the school suggests sending her to an adaptation class and invites her parents to use French at home. Sira objects.

Mariame N'diaye

Mariame N'Diaye began writing film and theater projects eight years ago on themes such as young women's celibacy and the French language as experienced by immigrants (she gives training in FLE, French as a Foreign Language, and English). What interests her in the stories she wants to tell is to present people who are both ordinary and universal at the same time, who are suddenly confronted with a situation that baffles them and that they will have to face up to. Her dual French-Malian culture enables her to slip into the skin of the various characters she creates, but also to see, be seen, hear and be heard as a “French-Malian”. And this view constantly feeds her imagination and makes her want to tell all those stories and anecdotes that lie “on the border”, where so many emotions are born. In 2023, Mariame N'Diaye directed her first short film, “LANGUE MATERNELLE”, produced by Golgota Productions. Learn More