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Dakar Bamako

Samba Félix N’Diaye
1991 France; Senegal 58 minutes French; Wolof

The “Dakar-Bamako” is a legendary train in Africa. Its route covers 16OO kms, crossing Senegal from the West to the East and goes deep into the interior of Mali, passing through the legendary landscapes of Sahel. The train is the scene of ceaseless activity. Malians and Senegalese share this moving market in which they live and trade together. Each halt lasts almost two days. Clandestine passsengers and thieves hide on the roof and slip into the wagons at nighttime… The diver sometimes waits for a group to finish saying their prayers on the platform or for some other group to come back from the bush and board the train carrying a bowl of fish and rice. ” Bamako! All change! ” The train is on time… sometimes…

Production :
ORTS; France 3; Caméras Continentales
Editing :
Marie-Françoise Michel
Sound :
Roger Benetrex
Photography :
Daniel Guinan

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