Hyenas (2011 film)

Hyenas is a 2011 French-Senegalese horror film directed by Djibril Diop Mambéty. It is an adaptation of Friedrich Dürrenmatt's 1956 play, The Visit (German: Der Besuch der alten Dame). The film stars Mansour Diouf, Aminata Fall, and Calypso Valois.

Hyenas tells the story of Linguère Ramatou, a wealthy woman who returns to her poverty-stricken hometown of Colobane after many years of absence. She offers the townspeople a large sum of money, but only if they agree to kill Habib, a local shopkeeper who abandoned and betrayed her in her youth, leading to her ruin. The film explores themes of revenge, greed, corruption, and the disintegration of traditional values under the influence of wealth. It is known for its blend of African storytelling traditions, social commentary, and elements of dark humor and horror. The film updates the source material to a contemporary Senegalese setting, incorporating elements of post-colonial critique and highlighting the impact of globalization on African communities.