SAMBA TRAORE Restored in 4K to Open in North American Theaters
Director Luca Guadagnino has called the Burkina Faso-set drama one of the great classics of his life.
A newly restored 4K version of SAMBA TRAORE, the 1992 Silver Bear-winning film by Idrissa Ouedraogo, is set to make its North American theatrical debut at Film at Lincoln Center, with additional markets to follow. The film follows Samba Traore, the lone surviving accomplice of a botched gas station robbery, as he returns to his native village in rural Burkina Faso and attempts to build a new life while concealing the source of his sudden wealth.
The film premieres at Film at Lincoln Center on August 28, with additional markets to follow.
'One of the great classics of my life... from one of the greatest directors of all time' -- Luca Guadagnino
Synopsis
The only surviving accomplice of a gas station robbery gone bad, Samba Traoré flees the scene of the crime with a suitcase full of cash for his native village in rural Burkina Faso. There he attempts to make a fresh start while hiding how he came by his new fortune from those around him. Despite marrying the beautiful Saratou, earning the affection of her ten-year-old son, and opening a bar with his childhood friend, Samba's newfound happiness is put to the test as he struggles to cope with the moral crisis of his crimes.
Considered a masterpiece of West African cinema – and recently named one of the top 10 films of all time in Luca Guadagnino's Sight and Sound list – Samba Traoré is a 'taut study of guilt' (Film Comment), wrestling with both Samba's desire for redemption and his fear of retribution. Silver Bear-winning filmmaker Idrissa Ouédraogo's empathetic direction imbues the story with 'extraordinary humanity' (The New York Times), recognizing in Samba the many contradictions of modern life in Burkina Faso. Samba Traoré was selected for Locarno Heritage Online's Histoire(s) du Cinéma restoration program.
Restored in 4K, the 35mm original image and sound negative were digitized in high quality, digitally restored, and a new color grading was applied by Cinegrell. All the original elements are preserved at the Cinematheque Suisse on behalf of Waka Films.
Samba Traoré (1992)
Directed by: Idrissa Ouédraogo
Written by: Santiago Amigorena, Jacques Arhex, Idrissa Ouédraogo
Cast: Bakary Sangaré, Mariam Kaba, Abdoulaye Komboudri, Irène Tassembedo, Moumouni Campaoré
Produced by: Idrissa Ouédraogo
Executive Produced by: Sophie Salbot, Silvia Voser
Cinematography by: Pierre-Laurent Chénieux, Mathieu Vadepied
Genre: World Cinema/Drama
RT: 85 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: Mono
Language: More, Dyula and French with English Subtitles
The restoration, drawn from the original 35mm image and sound negative, was digitized and color graded as part of Locarno Heritage Online's Histoire(s) du Cinema program, with original elements preserved at the Cinematheque Suisse on behalf of Waka Films. More details on the film's engagement at Film at Lincoln Center are available in SAMBA TRAORE, Restored in 4K, to Open at Film at Lincoln Center.
