Hamou-Béya (Pêcheurs de sable)

Credits

Name: Hamou-Béya (Pêcheurs de sable)

Country: Mali

Year of publication: 2012

Format: Digital

Color: color

Language : OF m. engl. UT

Duration: 72 Minuten

Direction: Diarra, Andrey S.

Camera: Coulibaly, Abdélah

Editing: Hautin, Jean-François

Sound: Bass, Aguibou Abass

Guest: Diarra, Andrey S.

Abstract

The Bozo, who inhabit the Mopti region of Mali, are known for their fishing prowess. It is said that they know all the secrets of the Niger River and have a spiritual connection to it. “Water gives power, but also life and death”, goes a Bozo proverb. But the receding fish stocks are taking away their livelihood, so more and more young fishermen move hundreds of kilometres away to the capital Bamako to collect, haul, and sell river sand – a valued raw material for the booming construction industry. Andrey Samouté Diarra documents the daily lives of these sand fishers, through the eyes of young Gala, who allows the camera a view into his family life.

Even without narration, the film hauntingly illustrates the social and ecological problems that Malians – even those away from the war-torn northern regions – must face.

Sand Fishers was honoured with a special mention by the jury of the FESPACO 2013 in Ouagadougou, and was selected as the best documentary at the 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards in Nigeria. 

  Trailer