Unseen Cinema’s partnership with Sudu Connexion comes to a close this March with a special screening of Moussa Sène Absa’s “Xalé.”
This poignant film, Senegal’s entry for the 2023 Oscars, tells the story of Awa, a 15-year-old whose world crumbles after a devastating family event.
It follows the moving story of Awa, a schoolgirl happily living her teenage years alongside her twin brother Adama, who dreams of Europe.
When their grandmother dies, her aunt Fatou and her uncle Atoumane promise to marry to preserve the family union. But Fatou does not love Atoumane, and the latter, tired of waiting to consummate his marriage, commits an act from which there is no going back.
Don’t miss your chance to see “Xalé” on the big screen at Unseen Nairobi throughout March (March 1st to 31st, with multiple showings). Tickets are available here.
Moussa Sène Absa, the film’s director, is celebrated in Senegalese cinema.
His career began as a screenwriter and blossomed into directing critically acclaimed films.
Absa’s short film “Le prix du mensonge” won the Silver Tanit at the 1988 Carthage Film Festival. He went on to direct successful features like “Ken Bugul” (1991) and “Ça twiste à Popenguine” (1992).
“Tableau Ferraille” (1996), which won Best Image at FESPACO 1997, marked the beginning of his trilogy on women. “Xalé” (2022) serves as the final chapter in this exploration, following “Madame Brouette” (Silver Bear, Berlinale 2002).
Absa’s filmography extends beyond this trilogy, with “Teranga Blues” and “Yoole” competing at FESPACO in 2007 and 2013, respectively.
