Completely nonsensical Senegalese new-wave masterpiece. And yes, that makes more sense than the film itself.

The images are amazing, and presumably, representative of Northern Africa – though I’ve never been there. In the film, corruption, superstition and crime are rampant while people are poor, and yet mostly good-natured. There are a few memorable scenes and the director has some great ideas, but the story itself drowns in a sea of questions. Who’s that Caveman? Why is the guy running away? How do they steal a big trunk in broad daylight and not get arrested?

Leaving things open to interpretation is one thing, but just having random things happen and never explaining them, doesn’t really make the story more thought provoking. Since this film is already in another language and the symbolism is from another culture, this issue really dissuades any efforts at understanding the plot. Is that intentional? Another mystery.

If viewed as a series of short skits about Senegal, however, this movie can be appreciated for it’s beautiful portrayal of this exotic culture.