Nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, Timbuktu, from co-writer (along with Kessen Tall) and director Abderrahmane Sissako (Bamako), explores the personal dynamic of an international issue — the plight of Kidane (Ibrahim Ahmed dit Pino), a cattle herder quietly residing in Timbuktu with his family, whose life is dramatically altered due to the imposition of Jihadists. Up to now, Kidane has been able to resist the terrorist regime that has dominated the culture and social order within his community with bans on music, cigarettes and soccer. Unfortunately, a change comes and this is the tale of that change. (Opens Friday at Esquire Theatre) — (PG-13) Not screened in time for review
This article appears in Feb 11-17, 2015.
