"Les Saignantes" (The Bloodettes) is a bold and futuristic science-fiction erotic thriller by Jean-Pierre Bekolo that defies genre boundaries. Set in a dystopian Cameroon, the film follows two fearless sex workers as they navigate a corrupt world of politics, power, and death while disposing of the body of a political leader. Part revenge story, part anti-sexist manifesto, and a direct critique of Cameroonian political corruption, "Les Saignantes" puts women and Africa at the heart of a narrative where they are usually invisible. Drawing from the ancient traditions of Cameroon's Beti women's secret society, Bekolo reimagines powerful Black heroines capable of confronting and healing a fractured postcolonial state.
A bold and genre-bending African sci-fi film that fuses vampire political satire with homoerotic undertones. Set in a near-future Cameroon, best friends Majolie and Chouchou—two striking young women—find themselves entangled in a dangerous plot after accidentally killing a powerful politician during sex. To cover up the crime, they scheme to dispose of the body while infiltrating the opulent wakes that dominate the city’s nightlife.
As they navigate the corrupt elite, using their seductive charm and supernatural abilities, Bekolo inserts intertitles throughout the film, offering sharp commentary on the challenges of filmmaking under oppressive political regimes. With its feminist themes and neon-drenched cinematography reminiscent of a blacklight rave, Les Saignantes is a visually stunning, disorienting, and utterly original cinematic experience.
With its provocative, vibrant aesthetic and biting social commentary, "Les Saignantes" delivers an audacious exploration of sex, death, and power, asking: “How do you make a film about the future in a country that has none?” This film not only challenges Western perceptions of African cinema but also redefines cinematic storytelling itself, proving that cinema can be both a weapon and a tool for subversion.
