It is an adaptation of the first third of the 13th-century Epic of Sundiata, interspersed with scenes of a griot telling the story to a young child.

The old griot tells how Keita’s family descended from the buffalo, the blackbirds still look at him, and how people have roots that lie at the bottom of the earth.

[2] Dani Kouyaté directed a number of short films before the release of Keïta, his first full-length feature.

[1] The New York Times praised the film, claiming it "succeeds admirably in keeping... history alive.

"[5] In a 1995 interview, Kouyate reflected on the experience and commenting on traditional society, saying: Sometimes when you don't know where you're heading, you have to return to where you came from in order to think things over before continuing your journey.