Watch Waiting for Men

Waiting for Men is a documentary film directed by Katy Lena Ndiaye, released in 2007. It delves into the lives of women in the desert region of Mauritania, exploring their culture, traditions, and the significant role that art plays in their community. The movie presents a vivid picture of how these women, despite living in what most would consider very limiting circumstances, find empowerment, self-expression, and camaraderie through traditional wall painting.

While the film could easily have taken an observational approach, it instead engages with the women, allowing the audience to hear their stories firsthand. Ndiaye's direction invites viewers into a rarely seen world - where the harshness of the desert meets the vibrancy and resilience of human spirit. The walls of their homes, which they decorate elaborately with intricate patterns, become a canvas where they assert their identity, hopes, and dreams.

The documentary zeroes in on three main characters who provide personal narrates that guide the film. These women are from different generations and have distinct perspectives, yet are united by the tradition of painting and the anticipation of their menfolk's return. The title, Waiting for Men, is in itself an ironic nod to the paradox these women live: they await the return of the men who have gone on extensive journeys to find work, possibly for years, while simultaneously fostering a strong community among themselves.

As the movie progresses, viewers gain an understanding of the societal norms that govern these women's lives - the expectations, the gender roles, and the significance of marriage. It contrasts the slow-paced, pattern-driven work of the women's artistic endeavors with the emotional aspect of their long periods of waiting. The ritualistic aspect of their art is underscored; it is not just about decoration but also serves a communicative purpose within the community and acts as a legacy passed down through generations.

What could be not so evident at first glance is the inherent activism present in their daily lives. Their art is a subtle form of resistance. It is an affirmation of their cultural heritage against the encroaching modern world and the way they maintain autonomy in a patriarchal society that often limits their mobility and expression. Ndiaye carefully documents the intuitive nature of their work, emphasizing how these practices are entrenched in the women's social fabric and personal identities.

The cinematography elegantly captures the vastness of the desert, the stark contrast of the colorful murals against the sandy landscape, and the everyday life activities that frame the women's existence. There's an intimacy in the framing and the close-ups that show meticulous brush strokes and the animated faces of the women as they share their stories that create an immersive experience for the viewer.

Rather than portraying them as subjects to be pitied, Waiting for Men celebrates these women as artists, as the keepers of tradition, and as the pillars of their community. Humor, wisdom, and wit are depicted in their conversations, demonstrating their agency in shaping their narratives and how they perceive their roles within their families and the broader society.

The film also hints at the generational shift, as younger women grapple with their aspirations and the weight of tradition. We start to see a dialogue being formed around what it means for their future and how the art of painting is likely to advance or transform with the coming generations.

Ndiaye's documentation provides an insightful view into a world where art is not just an aesthetic choice but a lifeline to cultural identity and expression. The film does not steer away from discussing the challenges the women face, but it does not linger in negativity or hopelessness either. Waiting for Men unfolds as a tableau of resistance, resilience, and remarkable unity among women in a remote corner of the world.

Additionally, the film carefully threads the theme of anticipation — of men returning, of cultural shifts, of life's inevitable changes — and how these women handle this anticipation. The movie asks its viewers to consider the universal experience of waiting and hope that transcends this specific context and connects to broader human emotions and social dynamics.

In closing, Waiting for Men offers a respectful and eye-opening portrayal of a community where gender roles, art, tradition, and modernity intersect. It honors the voices of its subjects, allowing them a platform to share their lives without filtering their experiences through an external narrative. Instead, it is a film that listens and presents, engaging audiences in a powerful cultural conversation that could have otherwise remained unheard. Through this poignant documentary, not only is the art of wall painting chronicled, but the intimate realities of those who paint, wait, and continue living in quiet strength and dignity are as well.

Waiting for Men is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 56 minutes.