The Absence

The Absence is the story of Adama Diop, a successful scientist who returns to his family in Senegal after 15 years in Paris. He is coming back to a family that consists of his hearing- and speech-impaired sister and his grandmother, who has looked after her during his absence. His father died in an unexplained accident and his mother from giving birth to his sister Aïcha. Aïcha has lived convinced that she is responsible for her mother's death, and this thought so torments her that she longs for her absent brother. On a night out with his friend Djibril, Adama discovers that his sister works as a hooker, and is shocked when he stumbles into his sister's underworld of gangsters, drugs and prostitution. This provokes a violent reaction towards her, and neither his grandmother nor his friend Djibril think he should shut his eyes to the situation, believing he should shoulder his responsibility. From this point on, the film spins into an engrossing thriller, as he follows a dangerous path in his desire to free his sister. Jackie Tavernier as Aïcha offers an impressive performance, and uses sign language throughout, particularly as she communicates with her grandmother.

Keith Shiri