On Comoros, the women's national basketball team is training for the Indian Ocean Island Games. In the past, this tournament played between different archipelagos in the Indian Ocean was the scene of political tension: in 2015, the team from the island of Mayotte, which is still French territory, decided to carry a French flag, prompting the athletes from the three independent islands to storm out.

This year the team has to uphold the honor of Comoros, so the players get patriotic pep talks from their coach. In casually filmed scenes, we follow three of the players. Oulouhou combines training with caring for her children and working as a waitress; Hassanati is not only a basketball player, but also a football coach and security officer; and Razia is building her own house.

In musical extracts and voice-over, we learn about the background of the islands ravaged by corruption, poverty, and unemployment, and of the temptation to make the crossing into French territory. But despite losses or setbacks, "the ball of life must remain in the game," according to the former national coach, and these free-spirited Comorian women show how that's done.

A film by Mohamed SAÏD OUMA

2020, Comoros Islands / France, Reunion Island / South Africa, documentary, 1h27' & 52', DCP

Original Title: Carton Rouge
English Title: Red Card
Duration : 87' & 52'


Producer
Bérangère Condomines (En Quete Prod, Lacoupure)

Co-producer
Mohamed Said Ouma (Les Films Façon Façon, Real Eyes films)

Director:
Mohamed Said Ouma

Cinematography
Azim Moollan

Editing
Nantenaina Lova

Sound
Ulrich Grandjean, Julien Verstraete

Music
Karim Douaidy (for Chapter Four Studio)


Production
En Quete Prod,
Lacoupure

Co-production
Les Films Façon Façon,
Real Eyes films

World Sales
Ibee Ndaw (for Sudu Connexion)


2020 | IDFA 2020
* World Premiere
www.idfa.nl/en/film/4d54f248-85b9-4765-820d-d9039b455f61/red-card