Virginia Film Festival

U.S. Premiere

Demba, a middle-aged man living in northern Senegal, has just lost his job of over thirty years. With newfound free time and the support of his son, whom he had been estranged from, Demba confronts the deep-seated grief over the loss of his wife, who passed away two years prior. The story unfolds through an intoxicating interweaving of present-day experiences, flashbacks, and delusions, providing an intimate portrayal of Demba’s emotional turmoil and his yearning for a sense of normalcy.

Award-winning Director Mamadou Dia is an Assistant Professor of French and Media Studies at the University of Virginia, and his film Baamum Nafi represented Senegal at the 2021 Academy Awards. Dia’s homeland sets the stage for the film, shedding light on the stigma surrounding grief and mental health issues within Senegalese society as both the characters and the filmmaker grapple with the search for solace amidst profound loss.

Discussion with Producer Maba Ba, moderated by David Phillips (The Contending).
Introduction by Maya Boutaghou (UVA). 

“Bracing experimental filmmaking…grounded by an unmistakable commitment to the people, traditions and values of a close-knit community.” -Lee Marshall, Screen Daily