Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
Director
Ousmane Sembène
Cast
Mamadou Dioumé,
Ousmane Sembène,
Tabata Ndiaye,
Moustapha Yade,
Ismaila Diagne,
Matoura Dia
Genre
Drama
In the early years of European presence in Senegal, the Ceddo (non-Muslims) try to preserve their traditional culture against the encroaching onslaught of Islam, Christianity, and the slave trade. When the local king sides with the Muslims, the Ceddo abduct his daughter to protest their forced conversion to Islam, sparking a bitter war.
Chicago Tribune by Michael Wilmington
A classic, mythic portrayal of African history, religion and politics by the great Senegalese novelist-filmmaker Sembene, centering on a princess' kidnapping and its aftermath. [18 Sep 1998, p.J]
Chicago Reader by Dave Kehr
Ousmane Sembene's 1977 Senegalese film was attacked for daring to depict life in precolonial Africa as something less than paradisiacal.
Los Angeles Times by Kenneth Turan
With a traditional structure combined with daring flash forwards and a modern soundtrack, Ceddo is powerful and uncompromising.
Time Out
Within this spare plot, Sembene raises issues of obvious pertinence to modern Senegal, such as the tension between spiritual and temporal power, Princess Dior's renunciation of her role of victim to take decisive action, and village leaders who are only too willing to betray their Africanness to maintain the status quo.
The New York Times by Vincent Canby
Ceddo is a folk tale presented as the kind of pageant you might see enacted at some geographic location made famous by history and now surrounded by souvenir stands. It's not cheap or gaudy, but it's an intensely solemn, slightly awkward procession of handsomely costumed scenes designed to pass on a lot of information as quickly and efficiently as possible.
New York Times by Vincent Canby
Only twice, in fantasy sequences, does Mr. Sembene allow himself the imaginative film maker's freedom to distort history to achieve some kind of dramatic truth. The rest is picturesque.
Time Out by Staff (Not Credited)
Within this spare plot, Sembene raises issues of obvious pertinence to modern Senegal, such as the tension between spiritual and temporal power, Princess Dior's renunciation of her role of victim to take decisive action, and village leaders who are only too willing to betray their Africanness to maintain the status quo.
TV Guide Magazine
Most of the film consists of meetings between different factions and groups, all conducted according to ancient tribal customs.
TV Guide Magazine by Staff (Not Credited)
Most of the film consists of meetings between different factions and groups, all conducted according to ancient tribal customs.
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