Hyenas () is a 1992 Senegalese film adaptation of Friedrich Dürrenmatt's Swiss-German satirical tragicomedy play The Visit (1956), directed by Djibril Diop Mambéty. The intimate story of love and revenge parallels a critique of neocolonialism and African consumerism. It was entered into the 1992 Cannes Film Festival.
Plot
Hyenas tells the story of Linguere Ramatou, an aging, wealthy woman who revisits her home village of Colobane. Linguere offers a disturbing proposition to the people of Colobane and lavishes luxuries upon them to persuade them. This embittered woman, "as rich as the World Bank", will bestow upon Colobane a fortune in exchange for the murder of Dramaan Drameh, the man who wronged her.
Cast Ami Diakhate as Linguère Ramatou Djibril Diop Mambéty as Gaana Mansour Diouf as Dramaan Drameh Calgou Fall as the priest Faly Gueye as Mme. Drameh Mamadou Mahourédia Gueye as the Mayor Issa Ramagelissa Samb as the professor
Critical response Critical response to the film was mostly positive. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 91% of 11 critics' reviews are positive. Hyenas was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival.
"A timeless story...The strong story line and fine ensemble acting provide a faster, more easily assimilated rhythm than many African films." - Variety "This pungent film adaptation's change of locale lends the tale a new political dimension...(Mambety) inflects the grim drama with an edge of carnival humor. This film carries a sting!" - The New York Times "This wicked tale, told with wit and irony, has all the ingredients of a crowd-pleaser." - The Village Voice "Funnier and warmer than Dürrenmatt ever dared to be but with the tale's bleak, ominous edges still in evidence." - New York Newsday
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