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Ousmane Sembène turns his story of a corrupt public official into a biting take on the ineptitude and hubris of Senegal’s male leadership.
Adapted from Ousmane Sembène’s 1973 novel, Xala is a hilarious satire about the patriarchal and corrupt ruling class that takes over Senegal after it wins independence from France. A successful businessman with two wives (one traditional, one Western) is appointed to the local Chamber of Commerce. To finance the addition of a third wife, he sells rice on the black market. On his wedding night, he is unable to consummate the marriage—leading him to believe he has been cursed by one of his other wives. Xala was major hit at the Senegalese box office, despite government censorship of the film. In Wolof and French with English subtitles. (123 mins., 4K DCP)
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IMAGE CAPTION
Xala, courtesy of Janus Films.
Restored in 4K in 2023 by Janus Films/the Criterion Collection.
Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Sarah Maldoror: Tricontinental Cinema.
FILM/VIDEO PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY
National Endowment for the Arts
Ohio Humanities
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
Rohauer Collection Foundation
WEXNER CENTER PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY
Ohio Department of Development
Greater Columbus Arts Council
The Wexner Family
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Ohio Arts Council, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts
CampusParc
Ohio State’s Global Arts + Humanities Discovery Theme
The Columbus Foundation
Nationwide Foundation
Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
Mike and Paige Crane
Axium Packaging
Nancy Kramer
Ohio State Energy Partners
Ohio History Fund/Ohio History Connection
Larry and Donna James
Bruce and Joy Soll
Rebecca Perry Damsen and Ben Towle
Jones Day
Alex and Renée Shumate
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