In the pouring rain of Douala, Mambar sets about draining the water that has invaded her house with the help of her children. When she arrived at her sewing room, she was faced with the same ordeal. Customer after customer comes in, all preoccupied with preparations for the start of the new school year. Yet Mambar has not yet bought anything for her own children. Her days are long, her children's expectations are high, but will the Douala rain allow the sun to shine on Mambar and her children?
In this captivating documentary directed by Rosine Mbakam, we plunge deep into the life of Mambar Pierrette, a courageous mother and talented seamstress. Through her work, she becomes more than just a seamstress; she becomes the confidante of her customers, an important figure in her generation. But when the rain begins to fall and threatens to submerge her workshop, Pierrette must find a way to stay afloat, both literally and symbolically.
Mambar Pierrette is a poignant testament to the resilience and determination of a mother who fights against the difficulties of everyday life. Rosine Mbakam's documentary invites us to reflect on the sacrifices and hopes of a woman struggling to offer her children a better future.
In conclusion, Rosine Mbakam's Mambar Pierrette is a moving documentary that plunges us into the life of a seamstress mother faced with the challenges of rain, back-to-school preparations and the vagaries of life. Presented in the Quinzaine des Cinéastes at the Cannes Film Festival 2023, this film offers us a profound look at the realities and hopes of women fighting for their families.
