Timbuktu (2015): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Timbuktu is a 2015 drama directed by Abderrahmane Sissako, starring Ibrahim Ahmed, Layla Walet Mohamed and Toulou Kiki. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $7.2 million worldwide. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 92 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- Abderrahmane Sissako
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
French - Studio
- Cohen Media Group
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Timbuktu About?
The premise of Timbuktu without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a remote region of Mali, a peaceful craftsman's life is shattered by the imposition of religious extremists. Kidane finds his quiet existence upended when a tragic incident draws the attention of the oppressive new rulers. As the once-lively city of Timbuktu is plunged into fear and hardship, Kidane and his family struggle to maintain their dignity and resist the regime's stifling control, facing difficult choices and enduring profound loss.
Timbuktu Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- desert
- islamic fundamentalism
- tuareg
- mali
- reference to timbuktu
- desert town
- reference to the sahara desert
- timbuktu
- imam
- religious fanatic
- music banned
- sharia law
+38 more Show fewer
- oppression
- motorcycle
- religious extremist
- police
- islam
- cow
- isis
- africa
- hot weather
- place name in title
- herder
- soccer
- pastoral
- abuse of power
- forced marriage
- cell phone out of range
- language barrier
- religious society
- religious prejudice
- religious violence
- religious insanity
- religious abuse
- religious hypocrisy
- religious horror
- religious leader
- religious zealot
- forbidden singing
- forbidden sexuality
- islamic terrorism
- forbidden romance
- accidental death
- accidental shooting
- accidental killing
- soccer match
- cattle herd
- cattle drive
- restriction
- reference to lionel messi
Timbuktu Cast
Ibrahim Ahmed leads the cast, with Layla Walet Mohamed and Toulou Kiki. Directed by Abderrahmane Sissako; 5 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Abderrahmane Sissako
Also Starring in Timbuktu
· 1 moreMore from Abderrahmane Sissako
More films directed by Abderrahmane Sissako, best-rated first: Bamako, Black Tea, 8 and Waiting for Happiness.
Timbuktu Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Timbuktu 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 92 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
-
IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 98% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 77%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 92 Metascore
User score 7.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.8 /5
67 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.8 /5
See on Movie Insider
Timbuktu Plot Summary
What happens in Timbuktu from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Armed members of the Ansar Dine group drive a jeep across the sandy expanse in pursuit of a gazelle, setting a tense tone from the start. They shift their attention to intricately carved Bambara sculptures, including depictions of bare-breasted women, signaling a clash between sacred spaces and destructive intrusion. Upon reaching Timbuktu, a city celebrated for its relatively tolerant interpretation of Islam, the jihadists impose strict clothing rules, critique the length of pant legs, and mandate burkas, gloves, and stockings for women in public. Their grip tightens with swift prohibitions: television, radio, football, alcohol, music, and loitering are all banned. Yet when the foreigners enter a local mosque wearing shoes, the Imam offers a quiet but firm rebuke, diplomatically standing up to their rules.
Full summary
The whole story of Timbuktu, scene by scene
Timbuktu Box Office
Timbuktu grossed $7.2 million worldwide. $1.1 million came from the US and Canada and $6.1 million (85%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$7.2M
- US & Canada
- $1.1M
- International
- $6.1M
Timbuktu Awards & Nominations
Timbuktu was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.
2 nominations2 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 2016 1 nomination- Nominated Best Film Not in the English Language
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Oscars 2015 1 nomination- Nominated Foreign Language Film
Timbuktu Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Official UK Trailer
How Well Do You Know Timbuktu?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Which extremist group arrives in Timbuktu at the beginning of the film?
Cars in Timbuktu
6 cars on screen, including the 2011 Toyota Hilux and the Sanili TS 125.
-
2011 Toyota Hilux Main role -
Sanili TS 125 Important role -
2007 Toyota Land Cruiser Important role -
Sanili unknown Minor role
Timbuktu Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “Le chagrin des oiseaux” and “팀북투”.
- Also known as
-
- Le chagrin des oiseaux
- 팀북투
- Тимбукту
- 廷巴克图
- טימבוקטו
- Τιμπουκτού
- Тімбукту
- 在地圖結束的地方
- 禁じられた歌声
Seen Timbuktu?
Movies Like Timbuktu
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Timbuktu, Bamako and Tuareg: Desert Warrior.
Timbuktu FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Timbuktu, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Timbuktu?
Timbuktu runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was Timbuktu released?
Timbuktu was released on January 28, 2015.
Who directed Timbuktu?
Timbuktu was directed by Abderrahmane Sissako.
More films by Abderrahmane Sissako Who is in the cast of Timbuktu?
Timbuktu stars Ibrahim Ahmed, Layla Walet Mohamed and Toulou Kiki, among 5 credited actors.
How much did Timbuktu make at the box office?
Timbuktu grossed $7.2 million worldwide ($1.1 million domestic, $6.1 million international).
How is Timbuktu rated?
Timbuktu has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 92 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
Was Timbuktu nominated for any awards?
Timbuktu received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
Does Timbuktu have a post-credit scene?
No. Timbuktu has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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