DIYA

In the organizer's words:

AFRIKAMERA: DIYA

Achille Ronaimou I Chad/ France/ Germany/ Côte d'Ivoire 2024 I OmeU I 95 min

FR 14 NOV I 18:00 I BROTFABRIKKINO

Followed by Q&A with the director.

Dane works as a driver for a humanitarian NGO in N'Djamena and leads a peaceful life with his young wife Delphine, who is expecting a child.

One fateful day, Dane runs over 9-year-old schoolboy Younous with his car. He immediately takes him to hospital and his wife rushes to his aid to pay the hospital costs - but it is too late. When Dane goes to the hospital the next day to check on the boy, he learns that the child is dead. Younous' parents are furious and demand diya, or blood money - otherwise one of his family members would be killed. But the sum demanded is so horrendously high that Dane is unable to pay it...

Achille Ronaimou paints a portrait of a society in which corruption, poverty and a rigid adherence to tradition lead to seemingly insoluble decisions.

The film's soundtrack is by Chadian musician Afrotronix, who will be performing live at Maaya on the Wednesday of the AFRIKAMERA festival.

DIYA celebrated its premiere at FESPACO 2025. Actor Ferdinand Mbaïssané was awarded Best Actor for his portrayal of Dane. In September 2025, DIYA was also screened in the centerpiece section of the Toronto International Film Festival 2025.

ACHILLE RONAIMOU was born in N'Djamena, Chad. He is a director and screenwriter and directed the short films MARCH 8 (2019) and KADBOR (2014) as well as the documentaries MINORS IN PRISON (2013) and KANOUN (2012). DIYA is his feature film debut.

More information AFRIKAMERA Filmfestival.

Price information:

Tickets: 9 €, reduced: 7 € plus booking fee.