Xala

For nearly four decades, Ousmane Sembene has been the most prominent African filmmaker to achieve international recognition, and his fourth film, 1974's Xala (based on Sembene's same-titled novel), is considered to be one of his best. Seen 30 years later, it's still a highly effective though somewhat dated political satire, exhibiting both biting humor and venomous anger directed toward the then-pitiful state of corrupt leadership in his native Senegal. In Xala, that corruption is personified by the main character of El Hadji (Thierno Leye), a politically and ethically crooked businessman who suffers from the curse of Xala, which renders him impotent just as he's about to consummate his marriage to a third (and very young) wife. He ends up spending so much time searching for a cure that he neglects his commercial and political responsibilities, and his inevitable ouster from Senegal's chamber of commerce leads to ruinous humiliation before a gathering of "undesirables" (the impoverished and disabled Senegalese whom Hadji had so frequently ignored) who spit on him in a demonstration of merciless revolt. That Sembene can tell this story with considerable humor and sympathy--not to mention a progressive view of women and their role in Senegalese society--is remarkable. A rallying cry against the crass Westernization of African society, Xala is an essential film for anyone seeking a greater understanding of African sociopolitical struggles. Boasting a serviceable DVD transfer, but no extras, this is recommended. (J. Shannon)