| La Robe du temps | |
| Director: | Malam Saguirou |
| Producer: | Adalios |
| Runtime: | 52 minutes |
| Country: | France Niger |
| Screenplay: | Malam Saguirou |
| Cinematography: | Malam Saguirou, Salissou Rabé, Issoufou Magaji |
| Editing: | François Pit |
| Music: | Kané |
La Robe du temps (The Gown of Time) is a 2008 film from Niger directed by Malam Saguirou, whose documentaries have won a number of international awards.
In Zinder, the 2nd largest city in Niger, Ousseini is the young chief of the very traditional Brotherhood of Butchers. While trying to develop a channel for exporting beef from his region, he faces another challenge; he must legitimize his recently acquired role as a traditional chief while at the same time asserting his role as an innovator.[1] The director follows the young Ousseini in his efforts.His movie summarizes the problems faced by young entrepreneurs, and provides a lesson in practical economics.[2]
Saguirou attended the Berlinale Talent Campus in Berlin in 2006.[3] The film was selected that year as a Berlinale documentary project.[4] The film was a co-production between Dangarama of Niger and Adalios of France.As with most films made in Niger, the director was forced to be his own producer.[5] The Fonds francophone de production audiovisuelle du Sud, which assists filmmakers in the southern Francophone region, helped with production.[6]
The film was featured at the November 2008 Lumières d'Afrique festival in Besançon, France.[7] It was shown at the Festival de Cine Africano in Córdoba, Spain.[8] It was also featured at the 2009 "Lagunimages" Festival, which has been held in Cotonou, Benin every two years since 2000. The festival primarily showcases African audio visual works, and provides a forum for exchange of information between their makers and potential investors.[9] [10] The film was screened again at the 2009 Amiens International Film Festival and at the third Ciclo de Cine por la Paz festival at the Bellas Artes of Madrid.[11] [12]