Windhoek: Screening of Sembène Ousmane’s Film Xala

On Saturday, 25 July 2009 at 7 p.m. AfricAvenir and Studio 77 proudly present Ousmane Sembene’s classic feature film "Xala" (Senegal, 1975). Xala is a cutting morality tale that equally blames the corruption of Senegal’s sociopolitical environment on Euro-centricity and African auto-destruction. The film will be screened at Studio 77.

About the film
Widely regarded as Ousmane Sembene’s finest achievement, Xala is a cutting morality tale that equally blames the corruption of Senegal’s sociopolitical environment on Euro-centricity and African auto-destruction. In the country’s capital city, a group of black individuals attain political power via an absurdist coup and Sembene observes the corruptive effects this sudden shift of power has on the community. Though these men have regained control of a government that belongs to their people, they are oblivious to the responsibility that comes with this power.

Sadly, their intents are entirely self-serving. Minister Kebe runs a food corporation but spends more time tending to personal affairs. Polygamy is de riguer here, and though Kebe’s two wives play nice when their husband marries a woman young enough to be his daughter, Sembene is mindful of what the women of Senegal must endure; a lifetime of hurt and resentment is unmistakably carved into their weathered faces. On his wedding night, Kebe prepares to have sex with his new bride only to discover that he has been cursed with the xala. Kebe fancies himself a modern man: He demands that everyone speak French in his presence and brags about the bottled water he imports from European countries. In effect, his sexual impotence comes to represent his failure as a responsible citizen. Kebe visits and revisits a witch doctor with the hope of eradicating himself of his impotence.

Ousmane Sembene presents a subversive, scathingly funny, and incisive satire on the decadence and hypocrisy of the post-colonial upper class in Xala.non
Sat., 25 July 09
@ Studio 77, 19H00
Damage: 10N$
Dress Code: Dress warm!

The event is sponsored by The Namibian, Orumbunde Bookshop, HEC, FNCC and Bank Windhoek Arts Festival/Studio 77