Watch Lingui, The Sacred Bonds

Lingui, The Sacred Bonds is a stirring and culturally significant film directed by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun. The movie was released in 2021 and it tells a story of a single mother, Amina, played by Achouackh Abakar Souleymane, and her teenage daughter, Maria, played by Rihane Khalil Alio, living in N'Djamena, the capital city of Chad. Amina is a devout Muslim, struggling to make ends meet and raise her daughter in a society where women are often marginalized. Her life is turned upside-down when Maria gets pregnant by her boyfriend, a situation that has societal implications in their Muslim community. For Amina, being unable to provide complete support for her daughter emotionally and financially is a source of great distress.

The film's themes include women's rights, female autonomy, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. It emphasizes the need for a more open-minded and empathetic society towards women's issues, and the struggle for individual rights in a largely patriarchal community.

Amina's struggle and determination to break free from the constraints of societal and religious expectations constitute the basis for the story. As she strives to find a solution for her daughter's future, she encounters a community of women who share her plight, as well as individuals who offer support and guidance in a society where patriarchal norms are deeply ingrained. The titular concept of "lingui," a sentiment of shared responsibility and mutual aid among women, emerges as an important moral principle in the story.

Apart from the powerful message of the film, the cinematography also deserves special mention. The camera work captures the delicate nuances of the daily life of women in Chad, showcasing the importance of preserving their traditional values and way of life. The natural beauty of Chad is presented through the lens in breathtaking and evocative ways. The visuals complement the subdued yet powerful performances by the cast, driving home some of the movie’s major themes, such as the unique struggles of women in conservative societies.

Another significant aspect of the film is its accurate representation of the daily lives and struggles of Muslim women in Chad. Amina's story, for instance, highlights the challenges that come with raising a daughter who falls pregnant outside marriage, and the internal pressure that this causes within the community. It also highlights how deeply rooted gender norms can be and the difficulty of changing these norms in societies that repress women.

In conclusion, Lingui, The Sacred Bonds is an important and powerful film that addresses timely human themes. It is a movie made with great care and sensitivity, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage while also acting as a call to action for the empowerment of women. This is a movie worth watching, not just for its beautiful cinematography, but also for its message of hope and encouragement in the face of trying circumstances.

Lingui, The Sacred Bonds is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 83.