Mandabi Page #2

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Six months without salary,

to pull through that? Come on!

(in Wolof) You know, many can't get

credit. I'm on my third.

(in French) You know how I do it?

I change banks.

That's your trick?

- In this case, I'll do it.

- It's to help you out.

I'm sick of working!

(in French) How are you?

(in Wolof) What do you want?

A birth certificate.

What date?

I can't read.

What date were you born?

- (in Wolof) What's up?

- (in French) Get in line.

Tell me, I can help.

Name:
Ibrahima Dieng.

Born in Dakar around 1900.

I know you're intelligent,

tell me the month!

- About 1900!

- In a year, how many months are there?

Twelve.

In which month was he born,

your Ibrahima Dieng?

(switching to Wolof) When you know

your date of birth...

come back to see me.

Hurry it up!

- Step back. If not...

- If not, what?

Who to turn to?

Someone influential.

What will I say

to people in the neighborhood?

- My name is not Amath.

- Sorry, I mistook you for my nephew.

He is a very good boy.

I'm sure he would have given me 20 cents for the bus.

I'm dry, my friend.

What a coincidence!

The fact is that the world is upside down.

I'll go see Amath.

You did well to come see us.

Say hello to Uncle!

I saw someone on the street; as if he was your twin brother.

I came to see you...

because I have a money order to cash at the post office.

But to exchange it, I need an identification card.

For that, I need

a birth certificate.

I have nobody...

to help me get it.

Look, here is the money order.

Take this.

And here, here's a check...

You can cash it in a bank.

For the rest, I have

a friend at the municipality.

Let's go see him.

Uncle, it's done.

Come to see him tomorrow.

(in French) Here's the information:

born around 1900 in Dakar.

- This will do.

- Thank you, my friend.

See you.

Sir, help me.

I don't have 20 cents

to return home...

and my children are waiting.

May God bless you.

What a disgrace!

I didn't even ask her name.

May all of my misfortunes...

follow that coin.

What do you need?

I have a check.

Do you have identification?

This can be sorted out.

You will ask for one franc bills?

Did everything go well?

It was thanks to my friend.

He only wants 3 francs.

How much?

Life is hard these days.

I come to you, a good believer.

I'm a foreigner.

I've eaten nothing all day.

You just...

asked me for 20 cents...

and I gave it to you!

You're confusing me with someone else.

I recognize you...

even with these clothes.

Sir, don't make these

propositions to me.

I am an honest woman.

Where is this country going if begging is a profession?

Shut your mouth...

Is this for an ID card?

Lift your chin.

The bird has flown.

- How much?

- Three francs.

When will it be ready?

Come tomorrow.

Aram, when are you going to pay me?

We haven't changed the money order.

Stop rushing me.

Come back tomorrow, I'll pay you.

- Has Ibrahima returned?

- Not yet.

Tell him we passed.

You see how many

have come asking for money?

How many? For what?

When they think of money...

they come to us.

We need rice.

Those 15 kilos won't last

more than three days.

And you were supposed to get three kilos more!

15 and 3 makes 18 kilos.

There are 5 liters of oil.

I bought 3 francs of water.

You have to add the bra.

Then there's the charcoal

and the waterboy.

You forget the tomatoes: 8 tins

We can't give or lend anything else.

If you come to the help of nine in need,

surely you will be the tenth.

You didn't do what I told you.

Yes I did, but Uncle is involved

in the matter of this money order.

It's okay. Tell him to come see me.

Who do I see?

Isn't that Astou?

It is her!

I repeat that I must

return with 30 francs.

Don't tell me you didn't get that money order.

Even the rice we served you was borrowed.

I don't want your rice.

I didn't come to beg.

You live like a gentleman...

with the money from my son.

Astou, calm down.

Come tomorrow. Ibrahima

will go to see his acquaintances.

You stand beside your husband.

But I want my money.

I'm tired of dressing in used clothing.

He hasn't gotten the money yet.

I'm not leaving empty-handed!

- Sell this.

- It's yours.

Goods protect us from disgrace,

but not from death.

I need you.

I need your help.

I want 50 francs,

not more, not less.

I'm sure to exchange the money order in a few days.

You think I have that much?

You know how much you owe?

I can't give you more credit.

I can leave it on consignment.

What do you want?

It's gold.

I'll take it three days for 20 francs.

I paid 150!

Here, have it back.

In two days I'll cash the money order.

Give me at least 40 francs.

To do you a favor...

I'll give you 20 francs,

and add 5 in interest.

You don't fear Allah.

20 francs, plus 5 in interest,

and for 3 days.

- Well?

- Okay.

If you don't come in three days, it's mine.

I told you I have a money order.

I came to your house.

I want you to loan me 50 francs.

You are my last hope.

With God as my witness, I cannot.

Money has no roots, but it takes root in the human heart.

Think of others.

This money belongs to my older sister.

Don't let yourself be influenced by your women.

I want to lend you that sum.

I wish I was able to help.

The money order is not mine.

The money you see is not mine.

It belongs to my sister.

That's why I can't help you.

Yesterday I saw bundles

of bills in front of me.

His wives run his house.

Solidarity is over.

If I don't have the rest in three days, I'll return.

You still owe me 15 francs.

Today I got the photos.

I repeat:
if I don't have the rest

in three days, you will see me again.

Starting today,

I will write to Abdou.

It is I who will write.

A man like you,

going without identification!

It's the third time I come!

Your photos didn't come out. Go away!

I paid for them!

He's the one who broke the table, boss.

Go away, while you still have a head.

He took my money, I want my photos.

I'll kill kim!

Let me go, I'll kill him.

Malik!

Give me the bottle.

One of these days you'll get locked up behind this kind of this.

In this country, only the dishonest get along.

They've killed him,

he's going to die!

What happened?

They robbed Ibrahima.

More than 1,000 francs!

It seems there were two of them.

They were four

and they jumped him!

The money was his nephew's.

Because of this money order

the whole neighborhood hates us!

Return to your homes,

it's time for prayer.

Why did you lie? Spreading

the word that I was robbed...

Now I too must lie.

The lie that weaves ties

and unites people is also truth.

What I mean to say is...

won't it be known that the

money order is still at the post office.

Forgive us.

We are not the only ones to falsify the truth.

This conduct is not in our nature.

We just wanted to keep away the gossip about you...

that they are encouraging.

It seems you've been robbed of the money order.

The second notice, the money order

is still at the post office.

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