Xala

Xala is a seminal film from Senegal, directed by the critically acclaimed filmmaker Ousmane Sembène. Released in 1975, it is an adaptation of Sembène's own novel of the same title. The film stars Thierno Leye, Myriam Niang, and Seune Samb, among others, and is one of the key works in African cinema. Xala is a satirical comedy-drama that provides an incisive critique of postcolonial Senegal, reflecting on issues of corruption, tradition, and the neo-colonial relationship that African countries maintained with the West after gaining independence.

The film is set in the capital city of Dakar and follows the story of El Hadji Abdou Kader Beye, played by Thierno Leye, a businessman who has just become a member of the newly created Chamber of Commerce, indicative of a rising African middle class after the end of colonial rule. El Hadji is a polygamous man, prosperous and self-satisfied; he embodies the African bourgeoisie who attempt to mimic the lifestyle of their former colonial masters while simultaneously exploiting their own people.

El Hadji's character represents the corruption and hypocrisy of the local elite. As the story unfolds, he is preparing for his marriage to his third wife, the beautiful and young Nabou, portrayed by Myriam Niang. The wedding is an extravagant affair, reflecting El Hadji's wealth and status.

However, the night of the nuptials, El Hadji discovers he has been stricken with xala—pronounced "hala"—which is a Wolof word meaning temporary sexual impotence deemed to be caused by a curse. This condition is not only a source of personal embarrassment and turmoil for El Hadji but also serves as a metaphor for the impotence of the national elite in the face of neocolonial exploitation and cultural identity crises.

Desperate to find a cure, El Hadji embarks on a journey that takes him through the various social strata of Dakar. From traditional healers to beggars, the desperate man encounters a cross-section of Senegalese society, all the while facing ridicule and the deterioration of his personal and professional life.

The character of the second wife, played by Seune Samb, illustrates the tension between embracing modernity and holding on to traditional values. She objects to her husband’s choice to marry a third wife and symbolizes resistance to the corrupt status quo and the decaying moral fiber of the new social order.

Throughout the film, Sembène employs satire and irony to expose the contradictions of African societies at the time. Here, the influence of French colonialism is evident in the characters’ language, behavior, and aspirations—members of the elite often converse in French while associating their native languages with the uneducated and poor. The ostentatious display of wealth and desire to maintain a particular social image reflect the mimicry of European habits, yet there's a pervasive sense of emptiness and lack of authenticity in their lives.

Another central theme in Xala is the impact of patriarchy and the marginalization of women. The film does not shy away from portraying polygamy and the objectification of women as part of the cultural milieu, all the while inviting the audience to think critically about these practices. The women in El Hadji's life have varying degrees of agency, and their reactions to his predicament range from schadenfreude to compassion.

Sembène's direction is grounded in realism, capturing the sights and sounds of Dakar with an eye toward both the city's beauty and its poverty. His storytelling is nuanced, allowing the characters to embody the complexities of their world. The decisions they make and the relationships they navigate are colored by their efforts to reconcile traditional values with the pressures to adopt Western ways.

The film's pacing allows the audience to absorb the predicaments each character faces, and the humor that emerges from the situations provides relief while also sharpening the satire. Moreover, Sembène’s choice of making Xala in Wolof, the primary indigenous language of Senegal, was a political statement in itself, emphasizing cultural autonomy and resistance to cultural assimilation.

Xala, with its compelling performances and rich narrative, is a piercing social commentary that remains relevant despite its specific historical context. It's a film that doesn’t offer simple solutions but rather encourages reflection on the complexity of identity, leadership, and social change. The struggle between tradition and modernity, power and impotence, and authenticity and imitation resonates beyond the film’s immediate setting. This powerful work is considered an essential piece of African cinema that sparked discussions and contemplation about the direction of newly independent African nations.