![la noire gif la noire gif](https://www.abload.de/img/ostveg4iwzh.gif)
They initially put the mask with other pieces of African Art and, later in France, the mask is hung alone on the white wall in the French couple's apartment. These themes are highlighted through the recurring appearance of an African mask that Diouana gives to her employers on her first day of work at the house in Dakar. This film addresses the effects of colonialism and racism in Africa and Europe. As Monsieur leaves the village, the little boy with the mask runs along behind him. He offers Diouana's mother money, but she refuses it. The film ends with Monsieur journeying to Senegal to return Diouana's suitcase, mask, and money to her family. Then, after Monsieur attempts to pay her salary and Diouana refuses to accept her pay, in an unexpected plot twist that is the climax of the film, Diouana commits suicide by slitting her throat in the bathtub of the family's home. Madame tells Diouana that, if she does not work, she cannot eat. Diouana attempts to take back the mask she gave to Madame, and a struggle ensues. Madame doesn't let her sleep in past breakfast time, and yells at her to get to work. Diouana's mother asks why she has not heard from her daughter, and asks for money. At one of the couple's dinner parties, one of their friends kisses Diouana in typical European fashion on the cheeks, explaining "I've never kissed a black girl before!"ĭiouana receives a letter from her mother, which Monsieur reads to her. The mistress of the house tells her to remove them, telling her "don't forget that you are a maid". When Diouana works, she wears a fancy dress and heels. Yet, in France, her character does not leave the apartment, cooking and cleaning the house - a clear contrast to her previous life in Senegal where she spent much time outdoors. She thought that she would be caring for the children as in Senegal, and would be able to go outside and discover France. Madame treats her unkindly, and Diouana is confused as to her role. Once she arrives, Diouana is overwhelmed with cooking and cleaning for the rich couple and their friends. Diouana is thrilled, and immediately begins dreaming of her new life in France. Monsieur and Madame then offer Diouana a job working for them in France. When Diouana is not working she goes for walks with her boyfriend. As a gift, Diouana gives her employers a traditional mask that she had bought from a small boy for 50 guineas, and they display it in their home. Initially, Madame hires Diouana to care for her children in Dakar. Diouana was chosen because she does not aggressively demand a job like the other women unlike the others, she did not crowd forward demanding a job. One day, the character of 'Madame' comes to the square looking for a servant and selects Diouana from amongst the unemployed women. Most people are illiterate and Diouana would roam the city looking for a job. In the flashbacks, it is revealed that she comes from a poor village outside of Dakar. The plot continually shifts back and forth between Diouana's present life in France where she works as a domestic servant, and flashbacks of her previous life in Senegal. The story is based on a real life incident. It is often considered the first Sub-Saharan African film by an African filmmaker to receive international attention. This was the director's first feature-length film. She becomes increasingly aware of her constrained and alienated situation and starts to question her life in France. However, upon her arrival in Antibes, Diouana experiences harsh treatment from the couple, who force her to work as a servant. In France, Diouana hopes to continue her former job as a nanny, and anticipates a new cosmopolitan lifestyle. The film centers on Diouana, a young Senegalese woman, who moves from Dakar, Senegal to Antibes, France to work for a French couple. Its original French title is La noire de…, which means "The black girl/woman of…", as in "someone's black girl", or "black girl from…". Black Girl is a 1966 French- Senegalese film by writer/director Ousmane Sembène, starring Mbissine Thérèse Diop.