Skip to main content
Riverside Studios Logo Riverside Studios
What's On
Eat & Drink
Your Visit
Your Visit
... and how to find us
Access Venue Facilities Venue Security
Hire Us
Hire Us
Learn more
Welcoming you into our spaces
Rehearsal Room Functions and Events Office Space
Join and Support Us
Join & Support Us
See all
Riverside Pass - Join now! Gift Vouchers Dive In Membership Make A Donation Our Supporters Riverfront Business Group Riverscribes Programming Enquiries
Our Story
Our Story
Explore
Find out more about Riverside's rich heritage
The Riverside Studios Story Riverside Reflections: An Oral History Riverside's Archive Heritage Project Blog Riverside Icons
Bitesize Festival
Bitesize Festival Bitesize Short Film Festival Festival Pass
Search
Login
Account
Logout
Basket
Accessibility

Film Club: Mandabi (4K Restoration) + Introduction

Book

For this month's Film Club, we will be welcoming writer and critic Kaleem Aftab to introduce the stunning 4k restoration of revered Senegalese director, Ousmane Sembène's masterpiece MANDABI.

Join us on Thursday 22nd July at 19:45. This event is open to all and Dive In members can claim concession price on the tickets.

“My relationship with African cinema began with Mandabi” - Martin Scorsese

Ousmane Sembène was once asked if his films were understood in Europe. Sembène’s response? “Let’s be clear. Europe is not my centre. Europe is the outskirts.” With his startlingly funny but clear-eyed satire Mandabi, Sembène made a bid for the world to reorient itself towards Africa as the heart of cinema. The first feature ever made in an African language, Mandabi fulfilled Sembène’s dream “to restore Africa’s stories to Africans.” This stunning new 4K restoration brings it to the rest of the world. 

Set in Dakar, Mandabi tells the story of Ibrahima (Makhouredia Gueye) and the transformative effect that a 25,000 franc money order from his nephew in Paris has on his fortunes. Word quickly travels about his new found wealth, while a thousand bureaucratic obstacles stand in the path between him and his money. Ibrahim, preening and scheming, laying bets he has no means to collect, is a superb character study. But Mandabi is also a sprightly but stiletto-sharp satire on post-independence African nations and the shadow cast by colonialism. Winner of the Grand Jury prize at the Venice Film Festival, Sembène’s adaptation of his own novella set a new course for African cinema: radical, anti-colonial and proudly independent in its methods.

“Ousmane Sembène classic about colonialism resonates today‘- Guardian ★★★★★  

Book Tickets

Book

Upcoming Cinema

See all
24 Jun - 02 Jul 2025

The Salt Path

Film
Book now
24 Jun 2025

How to Stay Sane in an Insane World with Jeremy Thomas + Special Guest Carol Morley

Film
Book now
24 Jun - 03 Jul 2025

Sitaare Zameen Par

Film
Book now
Choose a Price Band
The Venue
Studio 2 Studio 3 River Room Rehearsal Room Screen One Screen Two Television Production Production Facilities
About Us
Our Mission Our Programme The Team General FAQ Newsletter signup The New Riverside Riverside's Archive
Work for us
Current Vacancies Volunteer with Us Anti-Discrimination Policy
Our Website
Website Accessibility Privacy and Cookies Ticketing Policies and FAQs
See Also
Environmental Statement Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Instagram
© Riverside Studios. All rights reserved. Site by Grandad.digital