Mandabi

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THE MONEY ORDER:

Is your husband in?

Who are you looking for?

Ibrahima Dieng.

He is the husband of you two.

I bring good news.

- A money order.

- Money order?

Yes, a money order...

and a letter.

They are from Paris.

Who does Ibrahima know in Paris?

How much is it for?

- 250 francs.

- 250 francs?

Don't delude us.

We are honest women.

This money order is for your husband.

Here's the letter. He can collect it today...

at the post office.

We'll find out if this is true.

Aram, let's go to the store.

Today we'll eat well.

What did I just eat?

Blessed are women.

Here is your favorite fruit.

Let me wash.

It's been some time

since I've eaten so well!

God doesn't abandon us.

Heaven helps those who help themselves.

How tired I am!

There's a beggar outside.

Is he old?

Give him the leftovers.

Massage my legs.

No, not the belly.

Did you tell him about the money order?

Don't worry.

Who wants water?

Mety?

- Do you have 50 cents for water?

- No, not even one.

- Do you want water?

- Yes, but on credit.

- Until when?

- Until tomorrow.

Show him where to put it.

When your belly is full

you think only of sleeping!

My house is not

a house for the wicked.

Where do I get money to...

feed us?

It's been four years

I haven't had a job.

What would have become of us without God's help?

There is a proper time for prayer.

What happened?

I don't have a dime on me.

You received something in the mail.

What?

It's not a bill.

It's a money order from Paris.

Who sent it?

Your nephew Abdou.

Don't talk money in the street.

Does anyone else know about this?

We went to the store.

So everyone knows.

The children wouldn't have had lunch today.

They borrow without telling me!

I'm the husband of both!

Good wives wait for their husband

before making a decision!

You went to spread the word

that I have a money order?

Your wives came to take

rice, oil...

You have done well to give it to them.

I'll pay. What do I owe?

Don't worry - I trust you.

I received some good rice.

The kind you ate for lunch.

It is neither American nor French.

It comes from Indochina.

It doesn't stick.

Look how good the grain is.

How much per kilo?

Why are you suspicious?

This rice...

Do you have rice?

No, my son.

Did you see?

If you weren't a friend,

I wouldn't sell it to you.

I'll keep 15 kilos for you, no more.

Come to get it when

you return from the post office.

If you see one of my wives,

give it to them.

And lend me 50 cents

to get to the post office.

How are your children?

Mbarka has rice.

He sells it under the counter.

I didn't know.

He doesn't want to sell

to me on credit.

- Where are you going?

- With you.

The letter is from Paris.

It's from your nephew Abdou.

"I am in Paris.

"Thanks to God I am fine.

"I think about you day and night.

"I didn't come to Paris

to be a vagabond...

"but to work...

"to make some money...

"and to learn a trade.

"In Dakar, there is no work.

"I couldn't spend my life...

"without work...

"waiting for handouts...

"or some used clothing.

"Now I have enough

to start a family.

"Don't listen to what others say.

"If someone becomes

a vagabond in Paris...

"it is because he wants to.

"I don't think of trying

even a drop of alcohol.

"Every day I go

to night school.

"From this money order of 250 francs,

save 200 for me.

"Give 30 to my mother...

"and you will be left with 20.

"I know you are without work.

"Tell my mother I'm doing well.

"When I return from working,

I do my five prayers.

"God willing, I will return home.

"Don't forget me in your prayers.

Your nephew Abdou."

50 cents.

I'll cash the money order and then I'll pay.

- Ibrahima Dieng.

- It is I.

Identification.

Your form of identification.

I don't have one.

Any document with your photo?

Driver's license,

registration booklet...

I don't have any of those things.

Get an identification form.

I have mine.

Is the money order for you?

It's for my friend.

I have no identification.

Go to the police station

in your neighborhood.

The money order will be here for 15 days.

And my money, my 50 cents?

We couldn't exchange the money order.

No need to grab me.

I am a good believer,

not a thief.

Thief! Working for you,

you should pay me.

We'll return to pay you.

- Did my back get dirtied?

- No.

Come with me to

the police station.

Are you hoping I'll give you money?

It is so.

I need 50 francs.

(speaking French) This is the house.

It could work.

- Is it for sale?

- Leave that to me.

The guy is broke:

two wives, seven children;

an insatiable need

to keep up appearances.

What's happening inside?

It seems there is a party.

Ah, I didn't know!

Here comes his first wife.

Now we'll find out.

Good day, ma'am.

(speaking Wolof) We came to see Uncle.

Uncle went to the post office.

What's going on in your house?

You know how it is in this country.

When they hear "money" everyone shows up.

Mety, when Ibrahima returns

tell him to come see me.

I'll tell him.

Come in to wait for him.

Tell Uncle I stopped by

to see how he's doing.

- Can I help you?

- I need an identification form.

Birth certificate, 3 photos...

and 50-cent stamp.

Look, I need to cash

a money order.

I have my tax bill

and my voting card.

My friend, I need your

birth certificate...

photos, and a stamp.

Here I have a paper

that proves my identity.

I can't do anything,

go to the municipality.

Go in, Imam, he is there.

I came yesterday.

My wives told me.

Life is difficult

for people like us.

I haven't yet changed the money order,

God as my witness.

I need 50 francs.

Then I'll leave.

I couldn't cash the money order.

Maybe tomorrow.

Let's talk about life.

I came to see Ibrahima for

a loan of 10 kilos of rice.

I just told the Imam:

I haven't yet changed the money order.

I don't want money,

but rather the rice...

that you got two days aog.

You know me, Ibrahima.

I'm counting on you.

You can count on me.

Ibrahima... help me.

Give 3 kilos of rice

to Madiague.

We don't have any more rice.

What did you say?

Mety, you are a mother, you must

understand, the children are hungry.

Everyone thinks we have rice.

Give some rice to Madiague.

Tell him that there's no more.

- This is all the rice we have left.

- Give Ibrahima the sack.

No!

He could give all of it away.

This is the rice we have left.

Take it.

I hope to cash

the money order today.

It's better than nothing.

What did he give you?

This.

They say he has at least

100 kilos of rice.

It's Mety who refuses.

God save us

from the power of women.

Does one of you

have 25 cents to loan me?

I have nothing.

Maybe Aram.

Are you more well-off than the rest of us?

I don't have a penny.

Here we go.

It works for me.

20% is not deadly.

Credit has never killed anyone.

Answer, damn it.

20%? We're helping you out.

Yes, I know, (switching to Wolof) but it's hard.

Ask your creditor,

I'll find some way.

(in Wolof) You should be grateful that I offer this to you.

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