Simon Moutairou’s Film No Chains, No Masters Opened in NYC February 7, 2025
If you expect a traumatic only movie of this kind, you could not be more wrong. Although the film does not dismiss this horror of slavery, the story also displays heroism, community, and the fight to do what it takes to be free on one’s own terms. As a result, this film tends to leave the audience with a much renewed sense of what many black ancestors endured. There are also knew information that many not be as readily know in libraries around the world.
NO CHAINS, NO MASTERS marks the directorial debut of Simon Moutaïrou, who is better known as a screenwriter. In 2021, he was notably nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 2021 César Awards alongside Nicolas Bouvet for Black Box (which came out in 2021 in the US)
As a French-Beninese artist, Simon Moutaïrou wanted his first film to explore slavery, and to finally shed light on its dark long-overlooked legacy. He was particularly focused on accurately depicting the historical context of the « maroons » — enslaved people living in the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean who escaped from the French colonial rule — and bringing this important chapter of history into public discussion.
The film also highlights the spiritual beliefs of the region and their connection to the stunning nature of Mauritius.
Set in 1759 in Mauritius, this historical drama follows 16-year-old Mati, a slave on a French-controlled sugar plantation who defies her father’s resignation and escapes the compound in search of freedom and life beyond the plantation grip. Both her father Massamba and the ruthless slave hunter Madame La Victoire set off to find her, igniting a tense and dangerous pursuit through the jungle. Together, father and daughter are forced to confront the brutal colonial system that has bound them.
In this film, Camille Cottin, known stateside as Andrea, a ruthless agent in Call My Agent!, — she also starred in roles opposite Matt Damon in Stillwater and Adam Driver in House Of Gucci — portrays the unyielding slave hunter Madame La Victoire alongside Benoît Magimel (Revoir Paris, Pacifiction, The Taste of Things) as the slave owner. For more information on the film, check out the trailer. The film opened in New York City Febuary 7, 2025 at Quad Cinema.
