Mambar Pierrette (2024)
7.2
A moving portrait of a steadfast seamstress that subtly stitches everyday life in Douala
Movie
Belgium, Cameroon
French
Drama
2024
FEMALE DIRECTOR, ROSINE MBAKAM
Cécile Tchana, Fabrice Ndjeuthat, Karelle Kenmogne
93 min
TLDR
It’s just such a lovely portrait, not just of the title character, but also of her community.
What it's about
When the city of Douala has a new event, like ceremonies and the upcoming start to the school year, customers rely on Mambar Pierrette, the neighborhood dressmaker, to have their clothes ready for the occasion. However, when rain starts to pour, it starts a series of misfortunes Pierrette would have to weather through.
The take
If given the outline of this film, it might be easy to just call it poverty porn. But there’s a genuineness to Mambar Pierrette that keeps this film from sliding into melodrama, a certain subtlety that captures the everyday life in Douala, Cameroon. Filmmaker Rosine Mbakam, who made her start through documentary films, brings her naturalistic style here, placing the titular seamstress front and center as she responds to each and every difficulty that comes her way. And as the flood comes, and so too her troubles, Pierrette Aboheu Njeuthat shines with a subtle charisma, a performance full of dignity for the titular single mother that carved out a life through her craft. Mambar Pierrette might have a familiar neo-realist story, but it’s done well due to its excellent balance.
What stands out
The dressmaking. It’s so calming to see Mambar Pierrette make the village’s clothing, with the whirr of the sewing machine and her calming voice, but it’s also through her workshop that we get to learn more about the village, as each of the customers come to her not just as a dressmaker, but as a confidant. And the outfits she makes are great too!
Comments
Your name
Your comment
Your comment
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
Curated by humans, not algorithms.
© 2024 agoodmovietowatch, all rights reserved.