In Ousmane Sembène’s 2004 film Moolaadé, the community faces challenges regarding certain beliefs on the roles women have in the world. The people of Burkina Faso have always lived by certain traditions and when someone tries to contest a tradition, it brings conflict, anger, and death to the community. The film shows the roles woman play in an African lifestyle. It also shows how a community adapts to change and the struggles of going through change. Moolaadé shows how one individuals everyday heroism can foster change through an entire community. Critics from the Socialist Worker say, “One of the most striking things in Sembène’s work is the strong female characters” (Olende and Kimber). One of the strong characters the critic is talking
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One scene being when four girls ran away from the Salindana, a group of old women that carry out the FGM process, and run to Collé. The terrified girls knew they could trust Collé and be protected because they had heard the rumors of Collé not having her daughter, Amsatou, cut when she was young. Of course, when the girls ran to Collé for help, she promised she would help protect them from the Salindana. Collé then ties the rope on the door symbolling that the Moolaadé has started and no one could leave the house. The Salindana comes to visit Collé to take the children back. Collé, being the strong and independent woman she is then takes her machete and yells at the Salindana and refuses to lift the Moolaadé and hand over the girls. “We thus witness the first victory, or the first step towards liberation, beginning in one home from which the struggle spreads beyond as the narrative develops” (“Women’s Liberation”). The Salindana respectfully walks away and Collé rejoices by dancing and singing to the radio she clings onto with the rest of the members of the household. Collé’s brave acts of heroism is what keeps the small girls safe and alive. She knows that people won’t like the fact that she is standing up to a lifelong tradition but she doesn’t care. Collé fights for what she believes in and doesn’t stand
One scene being when four girls ran away from the Salindana, a group of old women that carry out the FGM process, and run to Collé. The terrified girls knew they could trust Collé and be protected because they had heard the rumors of Collé not having her daughter, Amsatou, cut when she was young. Of course, when the girls ran to Collé for help, she promised she would help protect them from the Salindana. Collé then ties the rope on the door symbolling that the Moolaadé has started and no one could leave the house. The Salindana comes to visit Collé to take the children back. Collé, being the strong and independent woman she is then takes her machete and yells at the Salindana and refuses to lift the Moolaadé and hand over the girls. “We thus witness the first victory, or the first step towards liberation, beginning in one home from which the struggle spreads beyond as the narrative develops” (“Women’s Liberation”). The Salindana respectfully walks away and Collé rejoices by dancing and singing to the radio she clings onto with the rest of the members of the household. Collé’s brave acts of heroism is what keeps the small girls safe and alive. She knows that people won’t like the fact that she is standing up to a lifelong tradition but she doesn’t care. Collé fights for what she believes in and doesn’t stand