African Film Archive

Xala

1975 — Ousmane Sembene — Senegal

feature · comedy, drama, satire · manifesto

Adapted from Sembene's own 1973 novel, this satire follows a corrupt Senegalese government official who is struck impotent on the night of his third wedding, using folklore and popular comedy to indict the hubris of the post-independence elite still tied to French interests.

Fun fact: The film's dialogue moves between French and Wolof, a bilingual structure Sembene used to distinguish the francophone elite from ordinary Senegalese characters.

Notes: Runtime 121 minutes; dialogue in French and Wolof.

Verification: verified · Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Poster source: Wikipedia