Sarraounia (film)

Sarraounia is a 1986 historical drama film written and directed by Med Hondo. It is based on a novel of the same name by Nigerien author Abdoulaye Mamani, who cowrote the screenplay. The novel and film concern the reallife Battle of Lougou between Azna remnant animistHausa people queen Sarraounia and the advancing French Colonial Forces of the VouletChanoine Mission in 1899. Sarraounia was one of few African tribal leaders that resisted the advances of French expansionists Paul Voulet and Julien Chanoine. The film won the first prize at the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou FESPACO and was critically well received.

When Nigerien author Abdoulaye Mamani first published his novel Sarraounia, he gave a copy to his friend Med Hondo who decided to put aside all other projects to adapt it into a film. As well as using the book for reference, Hondo conducted research with Mamani, interviewing older Nigerien people and accessing material in the national archives.Hondo cast A Keta after witnessing a confrontation between Keta and a family member. Although he initially had her in mind for a small role in the film, he cast her as Sarraounia following the first casting session. This was her first acting job and she has since performed in films including Les Etrangers The Foreigners and SIDA dans la Cite AIDS in the City, as well as in sitcoms. ........

Source: Wikipedia