The first ever entry to the Foreign Language Oscar® category from the Republic of Niger, Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring is a visually stunning exploration of a traditional Sub-Saharan Muslim society. Tiyaa returns home to the Sultanate of Damagaran during her winter break. There she awaits an official marriage proposal from man she fell in love with in France, who happens to be from an equally prestigious family in a neighboring region. As she waits, she struggles at getting back to her life, overwhelmed by a multitude of feelings and the uncertainty of her future. Tiyaa (Magaajyia Silberfeld, the director’s daughter) perfectly embodies a new generation of empowered women in touch with their hopes and desires. The gorgeous and colorful locations act as a beautiful background as Keïta paints a picture of relationships between men and women in the Sahel by having her lead interact with different women who will share their experience on love, marriage and divorce.

In competition for the FIPRESCI Award.

Director Rahmatou Keïta and Actor Magaajyia Silberfeld