Mandabi 1970

An unemployed Senegalese Muslim, Ibrahima Dieng, resides in Dakar with his two wives and seven children. A glimmer of hope arrives when his nephew, Abdou, sends him a money order amounting to 25,000 francs, painstakingly saved from his work as a street sweeper in Paris. Ibrahima is tasked with managing this money—keeping some for himself, saving a portion for his nephew, and allocating a share to his sister.

Unfortunately, Ibrahima soon finds himself embroiled in a web of bureaucratic challenges as he attempts to cash the money order. Lacking an ID, he navigates through the convoluted layers of Senegalese bureaucracy, only to face repeated setbacks and setbacks—all while spending money that he simply cannot afford. As if his troubles weren’t enough, his neighbors frequently drop by, soliciting financial help, further deepening his existing debts.

In a cruel twist of fate, Ibrahima is ultimately betrayed by Mbaye, his unscrupulous nephew. Mbaye cunningly offers to cash the money order but instead deceives Ibrahima by selling his house to a French man. He then claims that he was pickpocketed, absconding with the money order altogether. By the film’s conclusion, Ibrahima finds himself in a harrowing state of despair, burdened by debt and stripped of his home.

This poignant narrative delves into critical themes such as neocolonialism, religion, corruption, and the intricate dynamics of relationships within Senegalese society, painting a vivid picture of the struggles faced by many.