Directed by Rosine Mbakam • Drama • With Pierrette Aboheu Njeuthat • 2023 • 93 minutes
Over the past decade, Cameroonian filmmaker Rosine Mbakam (Chez Jolie Coiffure, Delphine’s Prayers) has distinguished herself for her quietly observational documentary portraits of African women. With Mambar Pierrette, her feature narrative debut, Mbakam turns her documentarian’s eye to the eponymous Pierrette, a gifted seamstress who works to support her young children and mother.
The city of Douala, Cameroon is getting ready for the start of the school year. A long line of customers come to Pierrette to prepare their clothes for upcoming social events and ceremonies. More than a seamstress, she is the confidant of her customers and community. But when it starts pouring and the rain threatens to flood her workshop - one of many misfortunes - Pierrette will have to struggle to stay afloat. Marked by moments of beauty and quiet grace, Mbakam’s naturalistic approach favors a portrait of resilience in the face of adversity and socioeconomic hardship.
Up Next in World Cinema
-
Plan 75
Directed by Chie Hayakawa • Drama • With Chieko Baishô, Hayato Isomura • 2022 • 113 minutes
In a near dystopian future, Japan’s government launches PLAN 75, a program encouraging the elderly to terminate their own lives to relieve its rapidly aging population’s social and economic burdens. In Ch...
-
Stonewalling
Directed by Ji Huang, Ryûji Otsuka • Drama • With Honggui Yao • 2022 • 148 minutes
20 year-old Lynn is told she needs English classes, flight attendant school, and a go getter-attitude. She perseveres along this path of upward mobility until she finds out she’s pregnant. Indecisive and running o...
-
Holiday
Directed by Isabella Eklöf • Drama • With Vic Carmen Sonne, Lai Yde • 2018 • 85 minutes
The trophy girlfriend leaves the sidelines to take center stage in a story that looks sun-kissed, fun, and sexy until the tables are turned—much like its central character.
Young and beautiful Sascha discove...
