Saloum (film)

Saloum is a 2021 crime horror-thriller film directed by Congolese filmmaker Jean Luc Herbulot, written and produced by Herbulot and Pamela Diop. Set in Senegal in 2003, it mostly uses a mix of French, Wolof, and sign language.

The film follows a trio of elite African mercenaries, the "Hyenas of Bangui", who, on their way by plane from Bissau to Dakar, try to lie low and find supplies in a resort near Saloum Delta in Senegal, where they must hide their identities and fight for survival. The film stars Yann Gael, Roger Sallah and Mentor Ba as the Hyenas, alongside Evelyne Ily Juhen, Bruno Henry, and Marielle Salmier in supporting roles; it was one of Ba's final roles, as he died in August 2023. It is a fictional story taking inspiration from African legends and real-life events.

The film had its international premiere in the Midnight Madness section of the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on 30 September 2021. The film received critical acclaim and was screened worldwide, and began streaming internationally on Shudder in September 2022. Saloum was met with very positive reviews, with praise for its unique blend of styles and influences, direction, and performances. Herbulot won the Award for Best Director in the Next Wave section at the Fantastic Fest, and the film won the Audience Award for most popular film in the Altered States program at the 2021 Vancouver International Film Festival.