DANCING THE TWIST IN BAMAKO
[TWIST À BAMAKO]
It's 1962, and Mali has just gained its independence from France and established a socialist government under Modibo Keita. In this environment, a passionate and impetuous love affair evolves between Samba (Stéphane Bak, ELLE, MOTHER AND SON), an idealistic young socialist, and the spirited Lara (Alicia Da Luz), who is trying to escape an abusive arranged marriage. Through the filter of their affair and inspired by the 1960s photographs of Malian photographer Malick Sidibé, director Robert Guédiguian reveals the many tensions at work during this little-known moment of social change as DANCING THE TWIST IN BAMAKO exuberantly contrasts the enthusiasm and naivety of youth — reflected in its vibrant soundtrack of early 1960s hits from artists like the Beach Boys, Otis Redding and the Supremes — with the political realities of the time. (Note adapted from African Film Festival New Zealand.) Official Selection, 2022 African Diaspora International Film Festival. DIR/SCR/PROD Robert Guédiguian; SCR Gilles Taurand; PROD Marc Bordure, Angèle Diabang Brener, Yanick Létourneau. France/Canada/Senegal, 2021, color, 129 min. In French and Bambara with English subtitles. NOT RATED
No AFI Member passes accepted.
Run Time: 129 Minutes
Opening Date: Friday, March 24, 2023
Genre: Romance drama