“Dear Father . . . An important change brings me back-the desire to film life in Sokolo, life on Earth . . . knowing that soon it will be the year 2000 and that nothing will have changed for the better.” Thus begins Sissako's Life on Earth, a part-autobiographical, part-fictional, and largely improvised film about everyday life in Mali. Composed in long, lingering shots, the film speaks of brief moments and encounters, but also of waiting and missed connections. Working with a small crew and no script, Sissako lovingly invites the viewer to gaze into Africa's mercurial present and unpredictable future.