09 20 Oct '24
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Ousmane Sembene

Xala

123' - 1975 - Drama, Comedy - Dialogue: French, Wolof
Director: Ousmane Sembene Composer: Samba Diabare Samb With: Thierno Leye, Myriam Niang, Seune Samb
It is the dawn of Senegal's independence from France, but as the citizens celebrate in the streets we soon become aware that only the faces have changed. White money still controls the government. One official, Aboucader Beye, known by the title "El Hadji," takes advantage of some of that money to marry his third wife, to the sorrow and chagrin of his first two wives and the resentment of his nationalist daughter. But he discovers on his wedding night that he has been struck with a "xala," a curse of impotence. El Hadji goes to comic lengths to find the cause and remove the xala, resulting in a scathing satirical ending.

Image gallery

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Credits

Director

Ousmane Sembene

Composer

Samba Diabare Samb

With

Thierno Leye, Myriam Niang, Seune Samb

Scenario

Ousmane Sembene

Director of Photography

Georges Caristan, Orlando L. López, Seydina D. Saye, Farba Seck

Editor

Florence Eymon

Producer

Paulin Vieyra

More information

Dialogue

French, Wolof

Countries of production

Senegal

Screenplay based on

"Xala" (Ousmane Sembene)

Year

1975

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