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IMDbPro

Le damier

  • 1997
  • 40m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
26
YOUR RATING
Short

This film tells the story of the president of a fictitious African nation who spends a sleepless night playing checkers with a pot-smoking vagabond who claims to be the all-round champion. H... Read allThis film tells the story of the president of a fictitious African nation who spends a sleepless night playing checkers with a pot-smoking vagabond who claims to be the all-round champion. However, the rules of the game entail the opponents howling vulgar and foul obscenities at ... Read allThis film tells the story of the president of a fictitious African nation who spends a sleepless night playing checkers with a pot-smoking vagabond who claims to be the all-round champion. However, the rules of the game entail the opponents howling vulgar and foul obscenities at one another. The champion proceeds to insult, and trounce, the President. His reward, and ... Read all

  • Director
    • Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda
  • Writer
    • Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda
  • Stars
    • Dieudonné Kabongo
    • Yves Mba
    • Pascal N'Zonzi
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    26
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda
    • Writer
      • Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda
    • Stars
      • Dieudonné Kabongo
      • Yves Mba
      • Pascal N'Zonzi
    • 1User review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Photos

    Top cast11

    Edit
    Dieudonné Kabongo
    • Papa National
    • (as Dieudonné Kabongo Hashila)
    Yves Mba
    • Le Champion
    Pascal N'Zonzi
    Pascal N'Zonzi
    • Pascal Nzonzi
    Jean LaCroix Kamba
    • Sergeant-chef…
    Djibril Nguemongwa
    • Premier Sergeant
    'Michou' Michel Tchibinda
    • Caporal
    Lilian Gomez
    • Soldat
    Luce Malekou
    • Fille de Palais…
    Geneviève Issembe
    • Mama Nationale
    Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda
    • Journaliste Television Nationale…
    Bonga Bakissi
    • Voix féminine radio
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda
    • Writer
      • Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    7.226
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    Featured reviews

    10eve111

    Wicked Political Satire

    The main character is a man who declared himself "President for life". The main action in this film centers around a checkers game with the Pesident and an African peasant.This is one of my favorite films of all times and I am not even very interested in politics or African politics. The satire was really well done showing all of the brutality and injustice of self appointed dictators. But even more than the political relevance is that there is something so compelling about the psychology of this poor checkers champion that i have never forgotten this 40 minute film. I saw it about 10 years ago. It should be a a political and dramatic classic.

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 1, 2022 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Zaire
      • Gabon
    • Language
      • French
    • Also known as
      • The Draughtsmen Clash
    • Filming locations
      • Liberwood, Cité de la Démocratie, Libreville, Gabon
    • Production companies
      • Centrale Productions
      • Difanda Yoi
      • Myriapodus Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 40m
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color

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