Straight from the 2024 Festival du Cinéma Américain de Deauville and filmed on location in Mauritius, Simon Moutaïrou’s powerful debut is an unmissable journey following those who dare to stand against injustice.

In 1759, Mauritius is a profitable colonial outpost for France, but for Massamba (Ibrahima M'baye) and his daughter Mati (Anna Diakhere Thiandoum), it’s a living hell. Slaves on a sugar plantation owned by the ruthless Eugène Larcenet (Benoît Magimel, The Taste of Things, AF FFF24), they are the victims of brutal laws enforced under the guise of justice – even though Larcenet’s son Honoré (Félix Lefebvre) fiercely disagrees. In this world, disobedience means death. Yet Massamba remains blind to the growing resistance in Mati, whose salvation lies not in becoming a seamstress but in escape at any cost.

When Mati flees the plantation, Larcenet calls on the uncompromising maroon hunter, Madame La Victoire (Camille Cottin, Call My Agent), a devout Catholic and Royalist, to bring her back. Aided by her militant sons, Madame La Victoire will bring Mati before God and the law – unless Massamba can reach her first.

NO CHAINS NO MASTERS captures history with unflinching force – a festival experience for the big screen.