''Makibefo'' is a 1999 Malagasy

black-and-white Black-and-white (B&W or B/W) images combine black and white in a continuous spectrum, producing a range of shades of grey. Media The history of various visual media began with black and white, and as technology improved, altered to color. ...

drama film written and directed by

Alexander Abela Alexander Abela (born 30 November 1964), is a British-French filmmaker, producer and writer. He is best known for directing the live action films ''Makibefo'', ''Souli'' and the animation film ''Zarafa''. Personal life He was born on 30 Novembe ...

. The director filmed the movie near the town of Faux Cap,

Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Afric ...

, with a single technical assistant. With the exception of an English-speaking narrator, all the roles are played by indigenous

Antandroy The Tandroy are a traditionally nomadic ethnic group of Madagascar inhabiting the arid southern part of the island called Androy, tracing their origins back to the East Africa mainland. In the 17th century however, the Tandroy emerged as a con ...

people (few of whom had ever seen a movie before) who performed a largely

improvised Improvisation is the activity of making or doing something not planned beforehand, using whatever can be found. Improvisation in the performing arts is a very spontaneous performance without specific or scripted preparation. The skills of impr ...

story based on

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

's ''

Macbeth ''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...

'' set in a remote fishing village.

Plot

Two Antandroy men, Makibefo and Bakoua, encounter a witch doctor as they escort a prisoner across the

desert A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About on ...

back to their village. The witch doctor prophesizes a series of future events, including Makibefo's role as the destined king of his people. On their return to the village, Makibefo sees the witch doctor's prophecies begin to come true. He shares the prophecies with his wife, and she goads him into killing their king, Danikany. Makibefo becomes the new king, but ambition and fear drive him to kill others in the village that might threaten his position. He eventually faces a

revolt Rebellion, uprising, or insurrection is a refusal of obedience or order. It refers to the open resistance against the orders of an established authority. A rebellion originates from a sentiment of indignation and disapproval of a situation and ...

by the families and friends of his victims.

Cast

*Martin Zia as Makibefo (based on

) *Neoliny Dety as Valy Makibefo (

Lady Macbeth Lady Macbeth is a leading character in William Shakespeare's tragedy ''Macbeth'' (). As the wife of the play's tragic hero, Macbeth (a Scottish nobleman), Lady Macbeth goads her husband into committing regicide, after which she becomes que ...

) *Jean-Félix as Danikany (

Duncan Duncan may refer to: People * Duncan (given name), various people * Duncan (surname), various people * Clan Duncan * Justice Duncan (disambiguation) Places * Duncan Creek (disambiguation) * Duncan River (disambiguation) * Duncan Lake ...

) *Bien Rasoanan Tenaina as Malikomy ( Malcolm) *Jean-Noël as Makidofy ( Macduff) *Randina Arthur as Bakoua (

Banquo Lord Banquo , the Thane of Lochaber, is a semi-historical character in William Shakespeare's 1606 play '' Macbeth''. In the play, he is at first an ally of Macbeth (both are generals in the King's army) and they meet the Three Witches tog ...

) *Boniface as Kidoure (Thane of Cawdor) *Victor Raobelina as the witch doctor *Gilbert Laumord as the storyteller

Reception

'' Variety'' reviewed ''Makibefo'' positively, calling it "an entirely fresh response to Shakespeare that should attract both fans of the Bard and B&W cinema."

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Makibefo 2001 drama films 2001 films Films based on Macbeth Films set in Madagascar Malagasy-language films Malagasy drama films English-language Malagasy films 2001 directorial debut films Films about witch doctors Films about prophets