Life On Earth (1998)

Synopsis
Inspired by the poetry of Aime Cesaire, the French-based Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako made this short (61 minutes) French docudrama as part of the "Collection 2000" series. A Paris shopping mall is suddenly replaced by shots of Africa as Sissako returns to Mali to visit his father, commenting in voiceover on his need to film his birthplace and reflecting on European/African relations. In the small Mali village, a photographer shoots black-and-white photos on an ancient camera, local slackers listen to the radio all day, while others gather at the post office to use the town's only telephone. Various African artists are heard on the music track. Shown in the Directors Fortnight section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide