Djibril Diop Mambéty, a towering figure in African cinema, left behind a small but deeply influential body of work. His debut feature, Touki Bouki (1973), remains a landmark in African film history, celebrated for its poetic storytelling and striking visuals. Though his filmography is brief, its impact is profound, with his last two works—Le Franc and The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun—continuing to captivate audiences decades later.
Now, these two films will be at the heart of a special event at Film at Lincoln Center in New York. On March 18 and 20, audiences will experience them in a new way—as ciné-concerts featuring live, original scores performed by the Oriki Collective in collaboration with Senegalese vocalist Woz Kaly. This marks the first time such a presentation has been held in the United States.
Both Le Franc and The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun were intended as part of Mambéty’s unfinished trilogy, Tales of the Little People, which sought to tell the stories of everyday dreamers navigating difficult realities.
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Le Franc delivers sharp social critique wrapped in humor, while The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun follows a young girl’s defiance of societal norms with an inspiring tale of perseverance. These films were previously showcased in the 2019 New York Film Festival’s Revival section, affirming their continued relevance.
The Oriki Collective’s musical scores have been in development for over five years, with the group refining them during creative residencies in France and Senegal. Drawing from the traditional polyrhythms of the Serer and Wolof ethnic groups and featuring the percussive beats of sabars, the compositions weave seamlessly into Mambéty’s cinematic world.
Their collaboration with Woz Kaly adds another dimension, enriching the sensory experience of the films while staying true to their original sonic landscapes.
Following each screening, audiences will have the chance to engage with the artists in Q&A sessions, offering insight into the creative process behind the new scores. These ciné-concerts promise to bring Mambéty’s visionary storytelling to life in a way that honors his legacy while introducing his work to a new generation.
