MUBI, the theatrical distributor and global curated film streaming service is thrilled to announce the UK and Ireland theatrical release date for the acclaimed film Lingui, The Sacred Bonds, from acclaimed director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, on 4 February 2022.
The film received its UK Premiere at the 2021 BFI London Film Festival, and its World Premiere at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival where it screened in Competition for the Palme d'Or award. An honest, tender and stunning vision of female solidarity, Lingui, The Sacred Bonds is an showcases powerful performances from Achouackh Abakar Souleymane and Rihane Khalil Alio who bring to life the tale of hardship and resilience a mother and daughter face and the sacred bond that keeps them together.
On the outskirts of the capital of Chad, determined single mother Amina (Achouackh Abakar Souleymane) works tirelessly to provide for herself and her 15-year-old daughter Maria (Rihane Khalil Alio).
When Amina discovers Maria is pregnant and does not want a child, the two women begin to seek out an abortion, condemned by both religion and law. Fighting to procure this simple yet inaccessible procedure, they must navigate a patriarchal network of doctors, relatives, and neighbors. In the process, mother and daughter forge a connection stronger than any they've ever known.
Acclaimed director and writer Mahamat-Saleh Haroun was born in Chad and his feature debut Bye Bye, Africa was the first full-length film ever made in his home country; and received a jury mention at the 56th Venice International Film Festival. Haroun's third feature, Dry Season, won the Grand Special Jury Prize at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival and his 2010 feature film A Screaming Man won the Jury Prize at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival, making Haroun the first Chadian director to win an award in the Main Competition section at Cannes. His 2013 film Grigris was nominated for the Palme d'Or Award at the 66th Cannes Film Festival and at the 67th Cannes Film Festival he served as a jury member for the Cinéfondation and short film sections. See the trailer at the link above.
