Xala (1975)

Director:

Ousmane Sembene

Writers:

Ousmane Sembene (novel)
Ousmane Sembene (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 December 1977 (Hungary)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

It is the dawn of Senegal's independence from France, but as the citizens celebrate in the streets we...

Plot Keywords:

Wedding | Impotence | Senegal | Polygamy | Mercedes Benz

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Fatim Diagne
Makhouredia Gueye	...	Minister Kebe
Thierno Leye	...	Hadji Aboucader Beye
Dieynaba Niang
Myriam Niang	...	Rama (as Miriam Niang)
Iliamane Sagna	...	Modu, driver
Seune Samb	...	Adja Assatu, Beye's wife
Abdoulaye Seck
Douta Seck	...	Gorgui
Younouss Seye
Dyelea Touré

Also Known As:

Impotence
The Curse

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

Senegal

Language:

French | Wolof

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Films Domireew

Movie Connections:

Featured in Caméra d'Afrique (1983)

Is there no real independence?

So far in my life, I've only seen two Senegalese movies: "Hyenas" and "Xala". The latter offers a satirical look at corruption.

The plot goes like this: following Senegal's independence from France, a crooked official - he makes sure that France still controls the country's resources - uses the country's money to get married for the third time. That's when poetic justice kicks in; he gets stricken with a curse called "xala", rendering him impotent.

If absolutely nothing else, this movie is a very impressive look at a culture that we in the west rarely get to see (and specifically, we get to hear Wolof spoken). Are the events portrayed cause for cynicism? Hard to say. But I recommend the movie either way.