Madame Brouette

Another superbly balanced social drama from Senegal. Told partly in flashback, it concerns the investigation of the murder of a police officer, presumably by his enraged wife Madame Brouette (Niang). Brouette runs a fruit cart through the streets of Niayes and despite her lowly means and responsibilities is known as a defender of women abused by their husbands or lovers. Absa conducts us through her hard-pressed working days, her family and social life to throw light on her condition. Remarkably, he always keeps the tone open and lively, incorporating an 'Afro-Brechtian' griot chorus to comment on the action and using the music to enhance the emotional atmosphere. Delicately mocking, passionate and delightful.