Xalé

Xalé is a 2022 Senegalese thriller film directed by Moussa Sene Absa.^[1] It is the third film of the director's trilogy focused on women, following Tableau Ferraille (1995) and L'Extraordinaire destin de Madame Brouette (2002).^[2] In October 2022, the Oscars selection committee of Senegal announced the film as the country's submission to the 95th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film.^[3][4]

Xalé
Film poster
Directed by	Moussa Sene Absa
Screenplay by	Moussa Sene Absa Pierre Magny Ben Diogaye Beye
Starring	Nguissaly Barry Ibrahima Mbaye Tché Rokhaya Niang Mabeye Diol
Cinematography	Amath Niane
Edited by	Pape Mbengue
Music by	Henri Guillabert Freres Guissé
Production company	Les Films du Continent
Release date	October 8, 2022 (2022-10-08) (BFI London Film Festival)
Running time	1h 41 mins
Countries	Senegal, Ivory Coast
Languages	French and Wolof

Plot

Set in Dakar in a time-shifting chronology, the film follows the story of two 15-year-old twins Awa (Nguissaly Barry) and Adama (Mabeye Diol). Awa is focused on her academics while her brother, Adama, hopes to emigrate to Europe. Following the death of their grandmother, they are put in the charge of their uncle Atoumane (Ibrahima M’Baye).^[5] In accordance with the grandmother's dying wish, Atoumane marries his resistant cousin Fatou (Rokhaya Niang). Her rejection of him prompts Atoumane to take out his frustration on Awa ^[6] with life-altering consequences for both of them.^[7]

Cast

• Nguissaly Barry as Awa
• Mabeye Diol as Adama
• Ibrahima M'Baye as Atoumane
• Rokhaya Niang as Fatou

Release and screening

It premiered at the London Film Festival.^[8] The film was also screened at Adelaide Film Festival^[9] and Mill Valley Film Festival where it had its US premiere.^[10]