Film details

Synopsis
Nyassan, Sourou Valley, Burkina Faso. The night watchman awaits the dawn, marking the end of his night shift guarding the rice fields. At daybreak, the dryers light the fires, and the frothing cauldrons shroud the workers in billows of white steam. Shadows stretch over the road, toward the market, where tall heaps of rice wait for buyers. Ousseinata must find a customer if she is to have dinner tonight: a few handfuls of tô, eaten by moonlight. Yesterday in Nyassan is a patient observation of the actions that make up a day structured by rice farming. A day passes, slowly. Although it lacks an overt political stance, the film does convey the difficulty of living from local farming at a time when the market is drowning in cheap imports. What does the future hold for the farmers? What will tomorrow bring?

Credits
Script and Direction : Catherine Hébert
Direction of Photography : Elric Robichon

Editing : Elric Robichon

Sound Conception : Mélanie Gauthier

Sound Editing : Bruno Bélanger

Sound Recording : David Cherniak

Producer : Catherine Hébert et Elric Robichon

Production : Mango Films

Financial Partners

PRIM

Direction

Catherine Hébert

Catherine Hébert is a maker of political and social documentary films. She has often filmed in Sub-Saharan Africa, taking an interest in the effects of war and violence against women, as well as exploring the intricate fabric of everyday life. Her films, particularly The other side of the country (2008) and Notes on a road less taken (2011), have earned critical acclaim and selections to numerous festivals, where they have won several awards.

 

Filmography

Ziva Postec, The Editor Behind The Film Shoah, 92 min, 2018

• Yesterday in Nyassan, 24 min, 2016
• René Derouin, 4 x 5 min, 2013
• Notes on a Road Less Taken, 94 min, 2012
• The Other Side of the Country, 84 min, 2008
• He’s the Man, 89 min, 2005
• La longue route de Julienne, 23 min, 2008
• Le microcrédit en question, 23 min, 2008
• Le visage que j’avais, 26 min, 2006
• Mangos for Charlotte, 23 min, 2004
• Tea at the Embassy, 47 min, 2003