Xala

film by Sembène [1975]

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July 20, 2026

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"Xala" is a 1975 film by Senegalese director Ousmane Sembène. The film is a satirical critique of the post-colonial African elite, focusing on a businessman who is struck by a mysterious impotence, or "xala," shortly after his wedding. This condition is presented as a metaphor for the impotence of the new ruling class in Senegal, unable to effectively govern or address the country's social and economic problems. Sembène, a prominent figure in African cinema, often used his films to explore themes of colonialism, corruption, and social injustice, and "Xala" is considered a significant work in this regard.12

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Third Cinema
…films of Sembène, such as Xala (1975) and Moolaadé (2004), with their mixture of African and Western elements and their critical approach to local culture. Another example of Third Cinema was Algerian filmmaker Abderrahmane Bouguermouh’s La Colline oubliée (1997; The Forgotten Hillside), which was shot in the Berber language and…
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…films of Sembène, such as Xala (1975) and Moolaadé (2004), with their mixture of African and Western elements and their critical approach to local culture. Another example of Third Cinema was Algerian filmmaker Abderrahmane Bouguermouh’s La Colline oubliée (1997; The Forgotten Hillside), which was shot in the Berber language and…
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