Samba Traore (2026)

The only surviving accomplice of a gas station robbery gone bad, Samba Traoré flees the scene of the crime with a suitcase full of cash for his native village in rural Burkina Faso. There he attempts to make a fresh start while hiding how he came by his new fortune from those around him. Despite marrying the beautiful Saratou, earning the affection of her ten-year-old son, and opening a bar with his childhood friend, Samba's newfound happiness is put to the test as he struggles to cope with the moral crisis of his crimes. Considered a masterpiece of West African cinema -- and recently named one of the top 10 films of all time in Luca Guadagnino's Sight and Sound list -- Samba Traoré is a 'taut study of guilt' (Film Comment), wrestling with both Samba's desire for redemption and his fear of retribution. Silver Bear-winning filmmaker Idrissa Ouédraogo's empathetic direction imbues the story with 'extraordinary humanity' (The New York Times), recognizing in Samba the many contradictions of modern life in Burkina Faso.