Life can be quite challenging in Douala, where Mambar Pierrotte, a middle-aged single mother and a dedicated seamstress, is hard at work. The start of the school year brings a surge in demand for her sewing skills, which she is genuinely grateful for, as her own son is about to begin school and needs supplies. However, things take a turn for the worse when a series of unfortunate events push Mambar into a deep financial crisis.
First, her hard-earned earnings are stolen by a local gang, followed by the flooding of her house and workshop. To make matters worse, her sewing machine decides to stop working. With no help from government assistance or her neighbors, Mambar is left with no choice but to borrow money and dip into her son's savings just to make ends meet as the school year kicks off.
Mambar Pierrotte is a simple drama, perhaps too simple for many fans of the genre. I say this as someone who does love the genre (just look at my reviews for films like El Pastor, The Rose Seller, Memory House, and Nakom). This disappointment comes from the documentary stylings used in this film. There was little of visual interest in many shots, making it confusing when minutes passed without any action or dialogue, just long shots of Mambar’s commute. Director Rosine Mbakam’s previous work has been in documentary films, but I wish she took bigger artistic risks in her first fictional film.
At several points, I was convinced this film had been mislabeled as fictional, and having seen some other reviews out there, I was hoping for a lot more story and cinematography-wise. Those looking for an artistic deception of Cameroonian life will enjoy many aspects of this film, but its plodding pace and lacking plot will leave drama lovers dissatisfied. Mambar Pierrotte will see use among those teaching African history and culture, but it lacks the punchy entertainment value those frequenting public library video collections have come to expect. Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Mambar Pierrotte belongs on drama shelves.
What type of film series could use this title?
Any series focused on poverty, single mothers, or life in Africa could use this title.