It speaks volumes for the ignorance that underlies much political correctness that Ocelot was nearly forced to abandon this engaging animation when funding collapsed after he declined to replace the traditional dress of the women in this West African folk tale with something less likely to offend the developed world's sensibilities.
But this five-year collaboration between European artists and Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour was worth the wait. Ocelot's refusal to compromise has resulted in a film that dignifies - not Disneyfies - the sub-Saharan cultures that spawned this story of a baby who springs from his mother's womb to take on the evil sorceress who has precipitated a drought, eaten the menfolk and stolen the women's jewels.