Timbuktu

Cohen Media Group | Release Date: January 28, 2015

7.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 85 Ratings

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FilmPhonicMay 29, 2015

Set in the outskirts of Timbuktu but filmed in the stunningly captured deserts of Mauritania, Sissako delivers a tragically contemporary tale that will no doubt be timely for decades to come, a tale about daily struggles in one of the poorerSet in the outskirts of Timbuktu but filmed in the stunningly captured deserts of Mauritania, Sissako delivers a tragically contemporary tale that will no doubt be timely for decades to come, a tale about daily struggles in one of the poorer parts of the world that takes on a new extreme religious dimension, but unlike anything we’ve seen it features a clash of “East Vs. East” and more specifically the traditional Muslim faith confronted by the new more radicalized and controlling Islam using their interpretation of “Jihad” as a sword.

The heart of the film is the main family dynamic torn apart by oppressive fanatics, as are all the other observant but moderate Muslim families we see, but the soul of ‘Timbuktu’ is best represented by the dialogue involving the local Imam questioning one of the foreign invading “Jihadist’s” piety and if he truly thinks God & their faith are being served by punishing devout Muslims whose only crimes are playing music and refusing to make women wear gloves and socks.

The pace of the film may not be to everyone’s liking, it’s slow and deliberate, and if you expect to see a Westernized graphic representation of “Terrorism” then expect to be disappointed, ‘Timbuktu’ dares to represent “Jihadists” as more than fanatical terrorist instead depicting them as human, flawed and even naive.

The Bottom Line…
Bold, timely, narrowly focused but with potentially global scope, ‘Timbuktu’ is a little gem of a foreign film that you’ll rather disturbingly connect to wherever you’re from and won’t regret catching if you give it a chance.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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Brent_MarchantFeb 15, 2015

A powerful, insightful look at what happens when dogmatic fundamentalism is allowed to hold sway over a devout, peace-loving people looking to live their lives in everyday ways. This very deserving Oscar nominee for best foreign language filmA powerful, insightful look at what happens when dogmatic fundamentalism is allowed to hold sway over a devout, peace-loving people looking to live their lives in everyday ways. This very deserving Oscar nominee for best foreign language film exposes a cynical, hypocritical, bullying power structure for what it really is -- and why it desperately needs to be removed from control. This isn't the easiest picture to watch at times, but it makes its statement in an undeniably clear way, one that, one would hope, inspires reformers to step to the forefront to bring about much-needed change.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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TVJerryMar 3, 2015

When religious fundamentalists occupy a village in West Africa, they impose their beliefs and bans on the citizens. This leads to oppression and resistance. One man lives peacefully with his wife and child in a remote tent until an accidentWhen religious fundamentalists occupy a village in West Africa, they impose their beliefs and bans on the citizens. This leads to oppression and resistance. One man lives peacefully with his wife and child in a remote tent until an accident brings the occupants' laws to their reality. Not only does this film reveal the irrational tyranny and tragedy brought by the Jihadists, it provides glimpses into the small town life in this part of the world. The story isn't structured in a traditional sense, but is rich with cultural observations. The pace is leisurely, the emotion is underplayed and the narrative takes a back seat to the way of life, but it's still a interesting examination. In subtitles.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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SpangleJan 14, 2016

A stirring and incredibly timely film, Timbuktu may be a bit too slow for many moviegoers, but if you can dig it, you will find one of the best films of 2014. Brilliantly written and incredibly emotional, Timbuktu is incredibly well-directedA stirring and incredibly timely film, Timbuktu may be a bit too slow for many moviegoers, but if you can dig it, you will find one of the best films of 2014. Brilliantly written and incredibly emotional, Timbuktu is incredibly well-directed and its heartbreaking story will resonate with everybody, no matter your stance on the Middle East and the issues surrounding it. By all measures, Timbuktu is an astonishing achievement from director Abderrahmane Sissako that does a great job of putting a face to the people of these oft-forgotten nations. As it often brought up in the film, you must realize these are people with children, just like people here. These kids are the center of their worlds and though their surroundings can be crazy at times, the people there are truly victims of the situation and deserve to be seen as such. Overall, Timbuktu is an impeccable well-made film that also really stirs you up emotionally and the end result is a fantastic piece of cinema.… Expand