Xalé

synopsis

Awa, a 15-year-old schoolgirl, is 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 in order 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.

about the director

Moussa Sène Absa (b. 1958, Senegal) is a celebrated filmmaker, screenwriter, painter, and author. He began his cinematic career as a screenwriter for Les Enfants de Dieu, and his directorial debut Le Prix du Mensonge (1988) earned him the Silver Tanit at the Carthage Film Festival. After starting out as an actor, Absa went on to direct a number of acclaimed short films, documentaries, and features.

His first feature Ken Bugul (1991) was followed by Ça Twiste à Popenguine (1992), which brought him international recognition. In 1996, he directed Tableau Ferraille, awarded Best Cinematography at FESPACO in 1997. This film marked the beginning of his trilogy on women, continued with Madame Brouette (2002), which received the Silver Bear at the Berlinale, and completed with Xalé (2022).

Despite being widely known internationally, Absa remains less celebrated in Senegal, although his television work, particularly the popular series Goorgoorlu (written by TT Fons and produced by RTS), reached a broad domestic audience. His later films Teranga Blues (2007) and Yoole (2013) were both selected for competition at FESPACO.

Often described as embodying the ideal of the “homo senegalensis” – an artist rooted in tradition yet open to global influence – Absa’s multifaceted work reflects a deep engagement with Senegalese society and culture.