THE PROFESSOR

A SENEGALESE FILM PROJECT FOR CHANGE

The life of the community gets shaken up when Modi, one of the neighbors, starts to mistreat and violently batter Batou, his girlfriend

Director’s Statement

“Domestic violence, whether physical or psychological, is an insidious reality that plagues our society. All too often, it is misconstrued as love or concern between partners. The Professor seeks to cast light on this universal issue, revealing how it resonates across all facets of humanity.

This story delves into the journey of individuals transitioning from denial to proper understanding of one another. We explore the despair and self-recrimination that can exist among people who remain strangers, living side by side in a shared building and common courtyard. This setting serves as a microcosm of society, reflecting the challenges faced throughout our country and continent.

We are determined to spark an urgent global conversation to confront and tackle this blight on human dignity. By sharing this message, we aim to contribute to the ongoing movement for women's rights in West Africa, a vision so many are working to bring to life.”

- Moussa Thiam

the story

The Professor is a Senegalese indie narrative film that offers a gripping tableau vivant of life inside a traditional Dakar housing compound—where modern ideals and cultural expectations collide.

When Batou is violently abused by her partner, three neighbors—Safi, a traditional homemaker; Ibou, a principled professor; and Dior, a fiery young lawyer—form an unlikely alliance to save her life. As Safi finds herself increasingly drawn to their progressive values, her own marriage begins to unravel, forcing her husband Gora, a respected witch doctor, to face an unthinkable question: can he change?

Told entirely in Wolof and rooted in real social issues, The Professor is a powerful exploration of gender, resistance, and the evolving roles of women in West African society.

Read more about The Professor…

  • Moussa Thiam

    WRITER, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER

  • Moussa touré

    PRODUCER

  • ADAMA PARIS

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

  • ABY FAYE

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

  • GOETZ GROSSMANN

    PRODUCER