this film have it heart in the right place and but unfortunately and it isn not much of a film . it be more of a documentary under the guise of a narrative . bamako be basically a newspaper op ed piece put on celluloid . however and your average well researched op ed piece be far more cogent and concise than anything present here . the filmmaker be try to relay to the viewer the hardship of african life and in particular the country of mali and due to the unethical practice of the imf and g8 and and world bank and by use the setting of a mock trial against the aforementioned . there be an extra 10 minute disperse throughout the film that make a half hearted attempt at a narrative plot and and a bizarre hollywood western style shootout scene and where the director seem quite pleased with his own cleverness ( hence and the frequent godard comparison ) . of course and a the film begin and what and who be on trial be never explain and but a we know by now and the french refuse to spoon fee their audience . there be many impassioned argument make and but they be often long winded and deliver in a shrill monotone ( one that become quite easy to tune out after awhile ) and and very light on specific . the last point be the most frustrating of all since there be a very well reason specific case to be make against the institution on trial here . unfortunately and all we get in 2 hour be that the imf and g8 be evil oppressor and should forgive 3rd world debt . we be give no more than the occasional hint to the specific reason why the organization on trial be guilty and but never a clear case . the mock trial argument and the footage of the surrounding village make the suffering of these african resident clear and but one wonder why we must sit through 2 hour of it and when a far more precise picture could be paint in a 20 minute newsweek article and or bill moyers episode . in the end and there be something very important to be say on this issue and it simply isn not present very well and or very clearly and in this pretentious and indulgent piece .