Movie #63: Released in 1973, directed by Djibril Dior Maméty, 91 minutes. New to me!

LetterBoxd Score: 3.5 Stars

Opens with a jolting sequence of graphic cattle slaughter. People often say that if we had to kill our own animals, most of us would become vegan. That’s totally wrong I think – it’s simply that our moral disengagement muscles are atrophied from lack of time spent husbanding and killing animals. But history shows it’s no problem for most people. I wonder how the director expected us to respond?

My mind goes straight to colonialism – I suspect the visceral power has grown in magnitude beyond Maméty’s intention – but the idea of using others as a resource to be exploited without much concern would have been around then too. And so it still casts a shadow over the proceeding events, which are generally a lot more fun. The majority of the film is a story of anarchic youths getting up to trouble. Reminded me of Breathless and The 400 Blows, but set in Senegal.

The other obvious touchpoint is Black Girl, which is an interesting companion piece to this one. Both revolve around the temptation of France as a silver bullet to all your problems, though Black Girl argues this isn’t so (we never really find out in this one).

Why would someone think it’s one of the ten greatest movies ever made?

It’s bright and fun and unique perspective. But as a cranky middle-aged person, I just am not sufficiently charmed by trouble-makers.

Next: The Spirit of the Beehive