Twist à Popenguine

The main theme behind the movie, Ca Twiste a Popenguine was the colonization of the Wolof culture. Popenguine, located in Senegal was a good location, Absa the author picked for the movie. I liked the fact that Absa used regular people and not actors, this help to portray the culture changes even better. The Wolof culture had many different influences, tradition, French culture, and American culture. The culture was affected traditionally by the adults and older people. They liked there traditions and ways of living and didn't want to change. You could tell this by the traditional cloths they were wearing. On the other hand the French teacher was trying to modernize the young culture, by teaching them the French language. The American culture and music played a big part in the young kid's eyes. They wanted to act like, and dress like the American singers.

Things that didn't work was the way Absa went from day to night, one minute it would be the middle of the day and the next minute it would be pitch dark. Woman had a very unique role in the movie, and defiantly a different role today in the American society. During the first party, the two young women were not able to dance because they had to serve food. It seemed like the movie wouldn't appeal to the American movie watcher, for one we don't like to read subtitles. The movie was hard to follow and didn't seem to make sense in many different accounts. The movie overall had a very good plot line and did a good job in showing how the three different cultures worked together.

Ça Twiste á Popenguine is a film that educated, entertained me, and warmed my heart. The story is based on two gangs in Popenguine, Senegal. As the film progresses, it shows the different languages that are spoken in Africa as well as romance between young characters. The film also integrated a lot of humor into its story with its young romances and wardrobe choices for some of the gang members. The director shows the colonization in Senegal and how the people are being influences by America and France. The film does a fine job at showing us that the Africans have much to offer just as the Europeans do. Africans may lack the education and language barriers but they thrive in the love for their culture and people. The film brings enjoyment to the audience when the school's French teacher, Mr. Benoit, is finally connecting with the African culture. This is shown through the people of Senegal singing to him and bringing them into their land completely. It very much reminded me of James Cameron's Avatar where the people of Pandora invite the outside, Jake Sully, into their land and show him not to be afraid. The feeling I got from Avatar was similar to the feeling I got while watching this film. The people of Pandora seem scary to Jake Sully, until he is shown their land and ways of life. He soon realizes their love for culture and that same realization is brought to Mr. Benoit.

The film showed how strong their traditions were through music, dance, and religion. After watching how they lived their lives, it made me feel nostalgic for a culture I've never had. A culture that is so full of happiness and old tradition is something I think a lot of cultures lack. This film inspired me, made me laugh, and educated me on the traditions of Africa and Colonization. The film shows some hardships but with added humor. The film sheds a positive light on the people of Africa and I highly recommend the film!

Ca Twiste a Popenguine is a great movie that shows what it is like to live to present day Senegal, the people, the culture, and how they all perceive themselves. Beyond the poor editing and subtitles lies a wonderful tale of the difference in generations that Moussa Sene Absa describes as colonization. Although the two groups of children didn't like each other, the King's and the In's, they were both into American music and clothes. To the kids, they were just being themselves from what they have seen and heard, but the Elders; they were becoming westernized and saw as a threat to the Wolof tradition.

Moussa Sene Absa did an amazing job writing and directing Ca Twiste a Popenguine. For the low budget, nonprofessional actors/actresses, Absa created a great tale of what it is like to be in Senegal. This movie could be compared to any movie in the United States. It's just a bunch of kids trying to make money and having fun. They get in trouble and still defy their "elders" and continue to be mischievous by doing the same things over and over again. It's a fun movie but also a deeper meaning behind it.

In the film, Ca twiste a Popenguine, which is an early 90's depiction of a community struggling to find their own sense of culture and it is also directed by Moussa Sene Absa. The main cultures that are addressed in the film are; American, British, French and Wolof. The adults in the film are the ones that address the issue of French and Wolof cultures, and the children feud between American and British. They are so confused that they begin to do everything they can to mimic the aforementioned cultures. Including changing their given names to those of popular rock and roll and pop artists like Otis Reading.

Given this background information on the film, you now note the film's strengths and weaknesses. I felt for an African film it transitioned fairly nicely and was no to difficult to follow (Aside from the sub-titles.) Also I understand that these are not paid actors, but rather the actual community of Popenguine who faces the issues of the film in daily everyday life. But even though the characters were played by regular people it wasn't a documentary like you may think. I thought that information was a tremendous strength for the director along with his ability to use music as a central theme which acts sort of like another member of the cast in telling the story.

Weaknesses on the otherhand, were slim in my opinion. One of the main things that I may note as a weakness is not the directors fault but still a weakness nonetheless. And that is the difficulty to relate to the characters. My recommendation for this film would have to be extended to those who feel like they may not know their real culture. In conclusion, the movie addresses very important issues that any American should feel compelled to watch.

Ca Twiste a Popenguine allows its' viewers to take a somewhat raw glimpse into the conflict between generations, caused by the colonization of one's country. Moussa Sene Absa (director and writer) does not convey a clear pro or con stance on the changing culture of Senegal, but does provide a rather complete look at both sides of the issue. He provides this raw look through his characters and their interactions with one another, the setting (Poponguine, Senegal), and time frame (1960's) of the film.

Ca Twiste a Popenguine is a movie best suited for one with some background information about Senegal or Africa in general. An uniformed (or entertainment-seeking) viewer would most likely miss the messages being sent by Absa; However, he does include many humorous perceptions of the American culture throughout the movie to keep the attention of the uniformed!