Twist à Popenguine (1994) User Reviews

American + French + African(Wolof) = Popenguine, Senegal?

[GrowingMind · 8/10 · 21 October 2006]

Cultural mathematics might not be your thing, but in writer/director Moussa Sene Absa's 1994 film Ca Twiste a Popenguine, he portrays the influence of the American and French cultures upon the peoples of the town of Popenguine, Senegal during the mid-1960's. Absa does a good job of showing this cultural mix by focusing on a struggle between two cliques of teenagers and adds just enough humor to keep the film on a light note and interesting. The cliques have similarities in that they have both forsaken their parents' traditional garb for more Western/European styles and they listen to artists such as James Brown and Jimmy Hendrix. What separates the two groups involves what they have and don't have. The "Kings" have the only record player in town, but no girls in their group. The "Inseparables" have the girls, but no record player. Absa also shows the influence of the French colonialism with the school teacher Mr. Benoit who is sent from France to teach the children of Popenguine French language and literature. A subplot involves his struggles and acceptance by the townspeople. The actual conflict between the two groups, the Kings and the Ins, is the main storyline of the film and Absa uses that storyline to convey the theme that involves the changing from the native African Wolof culture brought on by the influence of American and French culture to a mixed culture.

Absa's use of untrained actors/actresses works well in this film by giving it a flavor of reality. I would recommend this movie to anyone interested in seeing things from a non-western point of view or anyone wanting to see how different cultures interact and intertwine. If you do not like subtitled/foreign films, I would not recommend this movie unless you have a grasp of the French language. There is some fun poked at the differences involving Islam and Christianity, so if you are not tolerant or can't find humor in religion, you may be slightly offended.

This was my first fully subtitled foreign film, so once I became accustomed to that aspect I really enjoyed the film and appreciated Absa's sense of humor.

The clash of cultures has been beneficial?

[asimusae · 6/10 · 15 May 2011]

Ça Twiste á Popenguine is an enjoyable story of two different gangs in the town of Popenguine, Senegal. The youth of this town are a rebellious group that is coming to terms with who they are and what they want out of life. In the story at this point the youth find themselves seeking a record player so that they can listen to their favorite music artists, which they dress like. The youth like most rebellious teens concoct a plan to raise the money needed to purchase a record player for them. To do this, the youth create puppet shows of traditional England and use them for entertainment in French speaking Senegal.

The underlying theme of the story is a direct rebuttal to the claim by many famous African minds such as Franz Fannon who believed that nothing good could come from colonization. Fannon believed that the natives of Africa would be oppressed by the European power, culture, and religion. Mousa Sene Absa, the director and writer of this film respectfully disagrees and uses this film as a catalyst to carry his claim. Unlike Fannon, Absa makes the point clear in the film that Africa and Europe can learn from one another and can benefit from one another as well.This is an idea of complete opposite beliefs as Fannon, or Jomo Kenyatta.

The film expresses the richness of culture that the European powers and America offers Africa, but also the rich heritage and culture that the Senegalese can offer Europe. Absa supports this by the French teacher Mr. Benoit. Mr.Benoit is a lonely man who believes that he has no home, but in order to keep him in their town the Senegalese people, in a sense adopt him into their town. They do this by serenading him in music, taking him to sacred lands, and even attempting to offer him a potential wife.

In the movie, Absa uses the music of the people of Senegal in key points of the movie. He does this on purpose to illustrate that the rich history of the people is not lost, but still alive. The people of the town themselves, when they had been singing to Mr. Benoit were singing to him in their traditional music. Absa did this on purpose to help connect the idea that Africa can offer Europe something as well, which is their culture, whether that is tradition, customs, song, dance, or instruments, the people pf Africa have much to offer to Europe.

In conclusion, the movie Ça Twiste á Popenguine is a story of African youth who aspire, like all teenagers, to achieve greatness. The story is more than that however, it is a statement that the fears that Fannon and many like him had had about colonization may have been incorrect. That with the suffering that came to the people from war, famine, and oppression, there is still a positive aspect to this. That even with the grievances that Europe has put on Africa, the intercontinental exchange of culture, may be proving to be beneficial to both.

Coming of Age Story

[brendanjeffrey · 8/10 · 25 October 2006]

The film Ça Twiste á Popenguine focuses on the town of Popenguine. The main characters in the film are teenagers who are part of two different clicks, The Inseparables and the Kings. The Kings have the only record player that the town has, but do not have any girls. The Inseparables have no record player, but they have girls. The two groups have rejected most of their families' traditional values and have adopted a more western culture. They wear clothing that are more of a Western style and listen to western music, artists such as Jimi Hendrix.

The movie focuses around these two groups and their day to day activities. The Inseparables spend their days looking for ways to make money to use towards acquisition of a record player. They organize multiple gatherings and puppet shows, which are referred to as Pitchoss, as well as parties in which they attempt to charge for entrance, and only succeed a few times in making money. They also get into trouble with the adults in the town usually resulting from one of their projects not going as planned.

This movie is a coming of age story and it has the same overlying theme of many American movies that are of this genre. There were a few flaws in the story line, a few continuity issues as well as the movie becoming long and drawn out at times. Even with the language and cultural differences, the movie keeps your attention. If you are a fan of the coming of age genre you will enjoy this movie, even with some of the slow and lengthy parts. Much of the success of the story comes from the director using actual people from the village of Popenguine. This makes this story that much more believable and that much better.

An imperceptible mesh of entertainment and purpose.

[saulrand · 11 May 2004]

The embers of European imperialism have yet to cool in much of Africa, but in the seaside post-French-colonial village of Poponguine, Senegal, the effects of cultural colonization were as soft as candlelight and as animated as James Brown. That is the image that Moussa Sene Absa created in the 1993 film Ça Twiste à Poponguine, his celebration of the time when his home, a traditional African village in the 1960's, underwent integration of American and French cultural influences. Absa remembers that time through the character Bacc, a young native, who without a mother or father, is raised by a community of growing pluralism. Bacc's notable daily activities consist of going to school where the children learn French from M. Benoit (sent from France to continue French integration), and running errands for older kids in a street-wise hustler fashion, bearing his personal interests above the rest. The plot focuses on rival teen cliques during the Christmas season of 1964: the Kings, who own the town's only record player, but had no girls; and the Inseparables or `Ins', who had no record player, but had girls - `and that was key,' notes Bacc. Each group hoped to attain what the other had, and Bacc plays each group in order to forward his own causes, unexpectedly resulting in a raucous between the gangs, and the conflagration of one gang's hangout. But with no serious injuries, the events that transpire lead to a greater unity in the community and a generally feel-good movie that deals lightly but appropriately with the issues of cultural colonization.

Absa gracefully touches on difficult issues, like Africa's forgotten identity and European-American view of Africa through Social Darwinism, by proportioning the seriousness of those issues to their effects on the daily lives of characters in the movie. Dame Castiloor, the village's mother-of-all, a Vodun practitioner, a symbol of both traditional culture and the maternal role, talks to Bacc about his education. Although he is learned in French history, the Dame encourages him to revive the history of Africa. On a previous night, kids gather to hear the Dame tell a fairy tale about the tiny dwarf with a gourd full of gold. The dwarf blocks the road from passers-by, challenging them to fight. The Dame asks why, and Bacc answers that if a knight could defeat him he would become the richest of all, but if he loses he will be cursed and remain poor and blind, wifeless and childless. 'The losers will have no control over the future of their world,' it seems to say, in one of the most cryptic (and most memorable) scenes of the film.

One difficult scene to bear is one which Benoit, inebriated, concludes that if Africa colonized Europe, Europe would have lost all culture. Benoit, in his state of drunkenness does not represent his own true beliefs, but the general colonial attitude; in his lucid moments, he is merely another displaced person in search of his own place in the world, as shown in a dialogue between him and a Muslim notable, spoken in Woloff. Benoit's desire to leave Poponguine continues to grow as he feels more and more an outsider, despite different figures of authority in the village who wish him to stay; when he is finally integrated into the village, it is not by the pontifications and prayers of religious figures Perè Joseph or El Hadj Gora, but by the singing of Dame Castiloor and the children. Although the issues may seem somewhat coarse in writing, Absa puts them in action without forcing the idea through extreme camerawork or manipulation of the characters; the ideas flow naturally through the story and the characters' symbolic meaning, so that the average viewer will not be put off by the issues, and the less-than-average viewer may not even perceive many of them (the sign that reads "Popenguine").

There are uncountable moments of nearly imperceptible pokes and prods at the current state of affairs in Poponguine, one being the joke mentioned in the previous paragraph. The man who approaches Benoit talks of a `beautiful black boy' his wife just gave birth to, which must not be Benoit's child, he jokes. Even as a joke, it can imply that in the traditional group-oriented African village, a child's father is every man in the village; men can take multiple wives in accordance with local Islamic practice. The ideas held by such notables are held in contrast to the ideas of the teens. For example, Sylvie Vartan and Johnny Hallyday of the `Ins' group have a relationship based on romance and monogamy, which annoys Otis Redding of the `Kings' because as the cousin of Otis, Sylvie should be promised to him in the traditional manner. This shows the shift from dominant Islam to Christianity possible in the upcoming generation, but like many ideas presented in the movie, the viewer has the freedom to make those connections and inferences.

The freedom that the viewer has to make connections and inferences, and think more deeply about the issues of the movie is what makes Moussa Sene Absa's Ça Twiste à Poponguine more enjoyable than American mainstays of the socio-cultural genre. The camerawork is tastefully understated and carefully considered, as is the editing. Never does a scene seem to drag on, and the scenes that are building to something are spiced with a dashes of humor, such as the scene at Ginette's when one of the young adults is talking about sexual encounters with a drowsy woman to Benoit, whose worsening condition as a lonely drinker is being presented in this scene. The subtlety of so many issues and ideas makes this movie a joy to watch, its worry-free presentation allows one to watch again in order to pick up on subtle implications and decipher the symbolic meaning of characters. Altogether a cheerful tribute to his childhood home, Absa's Ça Twiste à Poponguine will lighten the heart as you witness a movie that itself symbolizes the relatively smooth cultural transition of Poponguine.

Popenguine Colonized

[mcguffcj · 7/10 · 15 May 2011]

The movie "rocking Popenguine"(In the English title of it) was over all a good movie. Besides to reading the subtitles it was really good. In the beginning I thought this was going to be a movie about a war between two young gangs. I figured it was going to turn out to be a sad ending. The Kings, who were all about appearance, and the in's who had the girls were always against each other. The both have something that the other gang does not. In this story, they focus on colonization of the children. The small village was pretty much being colonized by the French. They were going to school to learn nothing but French. . Mr. Benoit, who is a well-respected man living in the village is the teacher. The town loves him and they show it in the movie after his drunken rant he has. Even though he was disrespectful and spoke words that he did not believe in, the town came together to show him how they feel about him. He points out in the story that the children are to speak nothing but French while they are in school. If the children were to break this rule, they would get the stick. In the movie, the parents are the only ones who speak pure Wolof. This can kind of be compared to the story nervous conditions, because the children in nervous conditions are colonized and the parents are pure shona. In a way it is the same.

In the end of the movie I was surprised on how everyone came together and it was such a happy ending. I was not expecting it at all. They threw the best party that they have ever had. All the kids from the school were happy and having a good time. I noticed the music towards the end of the movie went from being in English, to being in French. I thought that was really interesting how they changed that.\ In the end it was a really good movie. It ended in a good peaceful way. It was very unexpected how it ended with the two going under the table to get away from supervision. It was so unexpected. I did like how they explained what everyone was doing in their future, and how they all became pretty successful people.

consumption of a culture

[strong_h · 6/10 · 23 October 2006]

Ca Twiste a Popenguine is a movie that I feel gives a good view of how cultures can be consumed and the consequences of consumption. There several instances where the Ins and the Kings are disappointed after futile attempts to become like the youth of western civilization. The more the Ins sought after western culture the more they lose, this was a powerful message. I believe Moussa Sene Absa accurately displays the world of Popenguine and the impact the French culture has on it. I also think that he director's decision to use people from that area made the story more real to the viewer.

It has been my experience that international cinema is usually different from that of the west. These differences may have been what caused me to dislike some parts of the film. There were some instances when I wasn't sure if certain events were a metaphor for a greater point or just a side bar conversion Absa wanted to add. Some of the school scenes I did not quite understand the relevance of. However, my views may be a product of the western cinema I am accustomed to.

I would not recommend this movie unless you had an interest in African culture. Otherwise, the purpose of the movie and its theme may be lost to the viewer. This is not a Friday night movies and pizza, feature. But if you are interested or familiar with African culture or literature, "Ca Twiste a Popenguine" is a nice tour of Senegal.

Nice story, poor structure

[kel_kel_46 · 7/10 · 22 October 2006]

Overall, I thought this movie had a nice theme. The way the director displayed the various types of people in the Wolof village was excellent. He had the older Wolof people seeming wise in their traditional-looking costume and tone of voice. He had the "Kings" who were of western (American) influence as the sort of rebel group, however harmless and sort of stupid, which I found funny. They were so stuck on looking and admiring people like Jimi Hendrix that they didn't know much about anything, even the American innovative rock which seemed to be their purpose.

Then you have the regular students and the Ins who were somewhere in the middle, however in a different way. They seemed to be half traditional Wolof and half French influence due to their teacher. I thought it was interesting how the director portrayed the views on the teacher. He was well-liked and always wore a white suit (as if he was a good, pure man), despite his rude and ironic breakdown in the restaurant. The director's main point seemed to be to show people of non-African (or even African culture) exactly how it was that they were able to be colonized, and just how much of it went on.

Despite the good story of the film, there was a lot that went wrong, too. What went wrong was unfortunate because it seemed to be all things that should NOT have been a problem in film for that time. The same scene being shot in plain day and then pure darkness was not only confusing at first, but extremely annoying. I also found the Foley annoying, because it was noticeable. When you view a movie, you shouldn't NOTICE that a slapping sound is weird or unrealistic sounding, and it was in this movie. The music in the background, such as "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" seemed out of place considering it wasn't even played when showing the only American-influenced group of people.

So although the movie had the right idea but poor structure, I would recommend the movie for older people that are not African. When I say older I mean mature enough to recognize culture differences, and I say non African because I think the director was aiming more towards SHOWING colonization to others.

The Assimilation of Africans into French Colonialism

[campantj · 5/10 · 13 May 2011]

Ça Twiste à Poponguine is a decent movie that is a pretty good depiction of African life in modern-day Senegal, aside from the lack of professional actors and being low budget. It shows how the children of the village cope with life while having two, sometimes three, different identities. They have their given name at home that is either Arabic or African, their French Colonial name at school and when Monsieur Benoit talks to them in the village, and their American singer name that some of them have picked for themselves. They chose their American names based on the gang that they belong to. The In's listen to singers like Sylvia Vartan and Johnny Hallyday and had two people in their group with those names. The King's listen to singers like Jimi Hendrix and Otis Redding and also have two people in their group with those names. Depending on where they are and who they are around, they can act as any of these three identities. They do not seem to have a problem assimilating into the French Colonial culture while still keeping their African heritage.

Monsieur Benoit, however, basically has a breakdown in the middle of the movie. He is the one that is having trouble assimilating into the African culture. He feels like and alien in the village but also feels alien in France. This is similar to how Tambu feels when she goes to the mission in the novel Nervous Condition, by Tsitsi Dangarembga. Tambu is assimilated into French Colonial life on the mission and then begins to feel out of place at the homestead when she returns to see her family. It seems like Monsieur Benoit is having these same reactions to being gone from home for so long and having started to assimilate into the culture of the village. He does not feel like he belongs anywhere and goes on a drunken rant about how they were lucky that France colonized Africa. This actually was confusing to me because the villagers did not get mad. They actually felt sorry for him and helped him to feel like he belonged in the village.

There is also a stark contrast shown between the village of Poponguine and the European resort that is located just up the beach from the village. The village contains run down shacks, dirt roads, hardly any trees, no grass, the rare car here and there, and two white people who are the bartender and Monsieur Benoit. The European resort has trees, grass and shrubbery, umbrellas and lounge chairs on the beach, paved roads, many cars and motorcycles, white people on vacation, seems very upscale and caters to the rich. They also employ many of the people in the village. This scene was placed in the movie to show the extreme differences between the Africa most tourists will see and the Africa that the villagers live in.

This is not a movie I would watch again or would have ever watched if I had not taken an African World Literature class. The movie itself was not bad for the lack of actors, budget and equipment. It did show me a part of the world that I do not normally see nor pay attention to, as sad as that may sound. I do enjoy learning about different parts of the world and I did enjoy watching the movie but I would only watch it in a class.

A Peephole into Post-colonial Senegal

[brittybits · 8/10 · 11 June 2011]

On the back of the DVD box, the description of this film states that it is "an African equivalent of George Lucas' American Graffitti and Spike Lee's Crooklyn. I do see the resemblance, but I do see a very obvious difference between the two films. American Graffitti is a coming of age film about the shenanigans of a bunch of teens who spend their night driving around in cars and trying to find someone to love for the night. Though Ca Twiste is similar in nature, there are many other factors contributing to the film that makes it more complex than Graffitti. In Ca Twiste, there is the issue of dealing with post-modernism and also post-colonialism.

The way that the kids have their cliques is really funny. I enjoyed watching the Kings and The Inseparables interact. After reading one of the other IMDb reviews, I found that the actors are not trained; therefore, making the actors seem more realistic.

Monsieur Benoit was the character that really stood out for me in this film. He had his faults such as being a belligerent drunk. I like that he is a character who is on a journey considering that he is suffering from colonialism and does not know where he belongs. I liked that he said he had never found "fruit" in a woman since his previous fiancé.

One thing that people may not be accustomed to is the fact that many people in Senegal, and Africa for that matter, are not accustomed to having appliances like TVs around. So it may come as a shock when some who watch this film realize that not all peoples have access to TVs.

I found this film to be very entertaining and enlightening of other cultures, as well as a great commentary of the effects of post-modernism and post-colonialism.

The Mirrored Lives of Bacc and Monsieur Benoit

[kutchehl · 6/10 · 15 May 2011]

When I watched Ca Twiste á Poponguine, I was stuck by the contrast in the life stories of the characters of Bacc and Monsieur Benoit. Bacc starts out knowing who he is and where he fits in the world around him. He "works" for both teen gangs in Poponguine, the Ins and the Kings, carrying messages and conducting the business of renting the record player. At the same time, Bacc is always looking for a way to get something out of the transactions for himself; he negotiates free entry into the surprise party. He lives with his grandmother and belongs to the whole village. Bacc does not want to grow up and get lost in Paris, like his mother did. But at the end of the film the narrator drops, as if from the sky, that he does just that.

Monsieur Benoit, on the other hand, begins the story as an unhappy character. He doesn't know where he fits in the best; in France or Poponguine. He says that he doesn't know where he feels the most alienated. When he's in Poponguine, he is the French Person, the Foreigner, the Teacher. I imagine that when he's in France he is that weird fellow who went off to Africa to teach school. Monsieur Benoit doesn't know what he wants, or where he wants to be. But then the people of Poponguine pray for him, make him a son of the village, and present him with a potential wife. At the end of the film, Monsieur Benoit is moving towards knowing who he is in Poponguine, and I expect that could bleed over to any time spent in France. Just as the children know who they are at school, at home, and amongst themselves, Monsieur Benoit's knowledge of who he is in Poponguine, will help him to feel less confused when he's in France. He won't feel that he needs to be a resident of France, if he goes there on short visits.

Looking at Bacc and Monsieur Benoit from this angle, the characters' stories seem like mirror images to me. Their lives take them in opposite directions, Bacc from belonging to confusion, Monsieur Benoit from confusion to belonging.

I am happy for Monsieur Benoit, pleased to see him move towards belonging. This transition is well executed in the film, his story arc is well plotted and acted. And while I'm sad that Bacc gets lost in Paris, which is what he didn't want, mostly I felt cheated and annoyed. There was no hint in the movie that Bacc was on a downward swing, that his life would end in ruins. We didn't get to see this story arc at all. It was inflicted upon me in one sentence after the movie had ended. I'm not sure what the point of this sentence was. I didn't feel that it added anything to the film. It almost seemed to me that this devalued the rest of Bacc's story. I wouldn't have minded this sad bit of the movie, if it had actually been included in the plot.

A mistaken identity

[mkaser21 · 5/10 · 23 October 2006]

There are a plethora of themes described in Absa's film Ca Twiste a Poponguine. For instance, mistaken identity helps describe the African residents of Poponguine. Furthermore, the two groups, the Inseparables and the Kings, were the teenagers of the town who followed the styles of the western society. However, the older residents followed more of the African traditions. In addition, the French and American music symbolized how changing culture in the African society is a factor today. In other words, the older people of Poponguine wore traditional African clothes and the younger kids wore modern clothes that Americans or Europeans would wear. As Mr. Benoit said, a changing culture leads to prosperity. I believe that Absa wanted to portray the American culture in more of a funny way (with music) and portray the European culture as something good. Furthermore, the people in Poponguine were able to speak French and Wolof. In sum, Absa's had many themes that wanted to portray the changing African society due to western influences.

Absa did well directing the movie in some ways. For example, the viewer is able to see the difference between the young and the older people of Africa and their differences. In addition, Absa does a good job of showing how technology is hard to come by in Africa. For instance, when the TV was brought to Poponguine, the In's and the Kings were able to stop feuding; in addition, the French singer, Frank Larry, played in town and stopped the feuding too. In contrast, Absa did not do a good job of portraying the American society. The Kings and In's are addicted to American music and the surrounding affairs of the famous singers. This seems to come to the point that America is surrounded by the gossip of its stars. However, there is more to a music culture that America has.

Interesting Take on Current Africa

[allstarmestd · 8/10 · 23 October 2006]

Moussa Sene Absa's film portrays life in the town of Poponguine and how colonization has effected the population. Through Absa's film it is hard to decipher exactly whether or not he agrees with the adaptation of the population to the influence of French and America. From what I gather, Absa saw a blatant difference between the elders and the young people in the community. The young men were more willing and interested in wearing European style clothing and listening to American and French pop music. They also spoke fluent French instead of Wolof, unlike the older people in the community. Although it seems a bit disheartening that the young people are drifting from the traditional way of life, I think Absa realizes that the influence isn't going away and must be accepted. It also seems that Absa saw a lot of faults in the white males in the film, but in the end everyone was able to get along together.

I found this film to be very entertaining and believable. They actors did a nice job considering most were Poponguine natives who had never acted before. There were minor lapses in scenes that confused me a little and some of the scenes seemed to drag, but I could have felt that way just because I am used to the fast passed American cinema. I think the film successfully showed how much influence the West has had on Senegal and how much of a challenge it is to integrate the traditional culture with the new influences. I recommend this movie to anyone who is curios about current African culture and anyone interested in foreign films.

Interesting Mix of Cultures

[Who_Dey · 6/10 · 23 October 2006]

Ca Twiste a Popenguine, directed by Moussa Sene Absa, is a complex tale set in the seaside village of Popenguine amid the cultural revolutions of French colonization, and a slow but steady introduction of American culture into the lives of the villagers of this Senegalese town. Ca Twiste a Popenguine is a fast paced story that deals with the issues that characterize the journey of this small town from a traditional African village to a colonized European outpost. While watching Absa's film, a viewer can sense the tension between the traditional African way of life and the invading European lifestyle. Native women dressed in the rich fabrics of their homeland admonish the students of the village to study not only the poets and politicians of France, but to also study the history of Africa in order to one day "make it proud". At the same time others, particularly the men of the village, have given over to the European culture, dressing as the Europeans do and sending their children to a school where they are beat if they speak their native language instead of French.

All in all, Ca Twiste a Popenguine is a remarkable tribute to the homeland of director Moussa Sene Absa. Absa created his entire cast using the local villagers of Popenguine and despite an occasional lack of continuity; he can be pleased with their performances. The performance of the young student Bacc was especially delightful. Bacc entertains viewers with his antics and "wheeling and dealing" style as the go between for the two teenage gangs of Popenguine. Bacc is often called upon to strike a deal between opposing gangs and he never failed to leave viewers chuckling when he walked away as the principle benefactor in every transaction.

Set in the African culture and performed in French and the native tongue Wolof, Ca Twiste a Popenguine is a bit difficult to follow for the average American viewer. However, it is well worth the effort. This movie is elegant and appropriate in dealing with many of the issues of a newly colonized society. From the role of women as the keepers of traditional culture to the complex effects of colonization on society, Ca Twiste a Popenguine is suitable choice for anyone interested in African, American, or European culture and the way each is perceived by the other.

Accepting the Bad for the Overall Good

[princessgemmell · 5/10 · 18 May 2011]

Ça Twiste á Popenguine shows the effects of colonization in Popenguine, Senegal. Unlike other Africa writers before him, Absa enlightens us to how colonization can be good for people and how people can make it work for them. The same goes for the whites and the blacks not having to be enemies. This film shows them working together and getting along, healing each other.

Ça Twiste á Popenguine is about two rival gangs trying to outdo each other. The Kings have a teppaz, or record player, but no girls. The In's, short for Inseparables, have the girls, and no teppaz. Bacc, the village orphan and messenger boy, believes that the girls "are key". The In's decide to raise the money for their record player by using the old English shadow box tradition, and tell a French story, in their native language of Wolof. The way they combined the different cultures to benefit themselves is amusing, and astonishing, at the same time.

Colonization is shown as a positive portrayal of social class. Those who can speak French and know its history are considered well educated. The downside that is shown is that the education is only taught in French. The students are learning nothing of their own heritage. In class the students are called by a French or Arabic name, but outside, amongst themselves, they have renamed themselves to that of their favorite musician. Negating the way the gangs have started to dress and act like their musical influences, the elders of Popenguine believe that colonization is good for them overall.

The changes that are taking place in Popenguine, Senegal in this movie are for the overall benefit of the town. The sad part is that they are losing their own heritage in it little by little. This movie is a great opening for someone to understand the benefits but at the same time the pull to be a part of two cultures is heartbreaking.

A good movie on colonization.

[queenofcrystals · 19 October 2006]

Ca Twiste a Popenguine is movie that focuses on the effects of colonization in Senegal. This is a very important subject. Moussa Sene Absa shows the influences of the French and American cultures on the traditional Wolof culture of Popenguine. Absa does a great job of showing the difference in the older and younger generations and how they deal with the new cultures. The older people in the village wear traditional clothing and get frustrated with the youth for "wanting to be white." While the teenagers and kids in the village wear modern clothes, listen to French and American pop music, and even choose French and American nicknames. He also does a nice job of showing how Benoit feels, being a Frenchman in a Wolof city. He knows Popenguine is not his home, but he feels he has been there too long to be accepted by France anymore.

For a western viewer, the story is somewhat hard to follow. I had a bit of trouble understanding the interactions between the characters, especially the narrator's deal with The Kings, and the conversations between the members of The In's. I also wish that the Wolof spoken would have been translated. I wanted to know everything that was being said, not just what was said in French. I recommend this movie for anyone interested in Senegal or colonization. It does a very nice job of showing how the different cultures mesh. However, those that oppose colonization or those with an overwhelming sense of patriotism and would like to see total colonization of a culture may not enjoy this movie. This movie was filmed in African, with African actors, and directed by an African. So if foreign films or movies portraying very different cultures are not your thing, I would recommend staying away from this one.

Overall, I think this was a great movie. It does wonders in showing the effects of colonization and how different cultures can come together and accept each other. Although it was hard to follow at some points, it has a good message and was definitely worth watching.

interesting

[kushrenada666 · 7/10 · 23 October 2006]

I found Ca Twiste to be very interesting. It's not that it was profound or prolific... It was just because I am an outsider looking in. These young-ones were Africans, as pure as can be, (given the fact that they've been colonized) and I'm a little all American "tom-boy;" "Jack and Dianne in the American heartland" rolled into one person. Do these people and I actually have something in common? I guess we do. We all have to live, learn, and grow, even if we are half-a-world-apart. But I digress, the movie is what is important, I supposed. It's sad really, or at least pathetic. For the first time in goodness knows how long… I crave an American Hollywood-style ending. But Hollywood can't do anything right in my opinion.

I'm just going to get right to it. The ending was- upsetting. I wanted more. The film just ends with the two children under the table making a reference to Ivanhoe that was lost on me. (Perhaps, if I had ever read that book, I could have understood it.) Thankfully, someone was there to explain it to me. The fighting between the quarrelsome children was over not because anything had been settled, but because they were sick of fighting. The voice over during the credits tells you how the kids grew up to love, laugh, and live elsewhere. That's how it ends: nice, pure, and simple.

The voice over was the most meaningful part to me; it served as a reminder that we are being given a glimpse into a real somebody's personal life, and it should be treated with a form of respect and reverence akin to what one would give someone else's diary. This is why I don't have the heart to pick it apart like a normal critique would.

Life In Africa

[fashionista629 · 7/10 · 15 May 2011]

Have you ever wondered what it's like in Africa? I know I have, as an American that has never been to Africa, because all we hear about is the troubles and animals of Africa. That doesn't tell what it's like to live there. Ça Twiste à Popenguine gives us an idea. This film was made partially as a reaction to the writings of authors like Fanon. Writers, such as Fanon, have written about the idea of the colonization of the mind which is the idea that the whites make the blacks in Africa feel inferior in culture and are pressed to take on aspects of the white culture.

The clothes, music, and language and other elements of culture shown in the movie have aspects of French and American culture as well as the native culture. This shows that the colonization of the mind is false because they are using all of the cultures in different situations. This is an interesting way to perceive life in Africa, and firmly contradicts what we hear about Africa since it's 'apparently' uncivilized, uneducated, and unsanitary. This doesn't mean that the issues we hear about aren't a problem, but rather shows that life in Africa is different from life in America but not as different as we are led to believe. There are still parts of their lives that we can relate to. This movie gives a positive look on colonization and shows how there is give and take between cultures.

I would recommend this movie to anyone that is curious as to what living in Africa is like while looking for a reason to smile.

The happy times of Poponguine

[mishra1220 · 7/10 · 15 May 2011]

"If you seek happiness, bring back your best years" is the beginning message of Ça twiste à Poponguine (aka Rocking Poponguine). This quote reminds to look to our past for the best times of our lives. As childhood goes Baac (the main character) has it tough, having no "real" parents in the town and subject to the older kids whims and errands. But Baac also has it great, he is loved by all the adults in the village, he has a girlfriend (Majieen), and he is clever and quick-witted (as he often out smarts the two local gangs).

Baac has to balance the traditional African rules of respect, the French ideals of thought and the American influence on free-thinking and philosophy. This young man runs errands like a pro, promising things to one group and lying to get his way to another. Sometimes this double-crossing cause's trouble, but only the elder boys gets the beatings, he gets off without punishment. Baac is the "little brother" of all. He mainly has business with the inseparables (In's) and their leader, Johnny. The In's have all the girls, but no record player to keep the girls. The Kings (the other gang of the area) has a record player, but no girls. Through Baac many events lead to the renting of the King's record player, a fight over fees, and a revenge plot that includes setting fire to what the In's have created.

This young man is a child of Poponguine. Without a birth mother to watch over him, he is adopted by all in the village. Baac fears that his is going to become lost, like his mother who, apparently, "disappeared into the city". With the guidance of the "wise-woman" , the notables (the Muslim, and Christian town leaders), and the French teachings of Mr. Benoit he soon develops into a child with a bright future that finds balance in love, tradition, and self identity.

Another tradition in many of our past is the act of TV watching. In Poponguine the only TV is a gift for El Hadj Gora's newest wife and it comes with mixed feelings. Mr. Benoit is hesitant to turn the TV to a station, but the rest of the village practically worships the thing. The TV kills the pitchoss, and seems to be the final step of colonization. The television transmits the most recent news and events that come from France and within the minds of the village, cements the fact that Africa is lost in the minds of the TV generation. The television is carefully placed near the mosque and in turn placed in the direction of Mecca. During the time of prayer, many of the villagers are unable to peel their eyes away from the TV. The village literary prays to their new god of technology, the television. The TV, throughout the past few generations has been a knowledge giver and has developed (in many forms) into a tool we rely on daily. In Poponguine it is no different, after the TV arrives, thinking begins to drastically change. The girls of the In's distance themselves from their "boys" and the In's break up because of it. Gone are the ideals of thought and literature, now there are only the thoughts that are transmitted from the box of plastic and glass.

The memories of youth develop into this story, Ça twiste à Poponguine, and we are taken along with the life of Baac and his development into a great young man that goes on to leave Popoguine and has a great life. As an outsider looking in to this boy's life I am left with a thought of a "happy ending", everyone had their own endings and were happy (probably). All the teens (the IN's and the King's), but Eddy left the town to have better lives. Eddy stayed and took the path of tradition, becoming richer than all of them because of it.

Cultural Distractions.

[Ejroeder · 3/10 · 23 October 2006]

The movie to me was basically teaching the viewer about the cultural distractions that the Wolof people in Senegal are beginning to be more influenced by other then there own. In the movie we see that the youth in the village of Popenguine dress in a European style of clothing while there parents stay true to there culture and dress in the traditional clothing. The youth also are very interested in music but not of there culture, but rather music from the United States and Europe.

The director, Moussa Sene Absa's did a below average job directing, since there are scenes that are shot in the day then suddenly are in the night time. The actors were not impressive either, but one interesting note is that they were non-actors cast for there roles. This really does the movie some justice and gives you a very raw and authentic feel.

Ca Twiste a Popenguine

[kaylin-cates · 8/10 · 13 May 2011]

Moussa Sena Absa's Ca Twiste a Popenguine focused on how people of different cultures can mix together, and live without conflict. This film is narrated by a young boy named Bacc, to whom is from Popenguine, Senegal. Mr. Benoit is another focus throughout the story. He is the teacher brought into Africa specifically to teach French to the students at their school. The characters in general played a major influence on the cultural perspectives. Modernity was another aspect included in the film, which was a challenge for these Africans to understand, especially when looking into their future. The ending was very interesting, and some scenes I did not really understand.

The different cultures bonding together was an interesting concept to grasp while watching the film. What I found to be most interesting was that the only actor acting in the film was Mr. Benoit. This was great for Absa's film because it really gave a more realistic meaning. There were Africans who spoke the traditional Wollof language, as well as Africans who spoke French. French was the up and coming generation; therefore, Absa pursued the students to use only French while in the school setting. The parents were even forcing their children to learn French in order for future preparation, which means that they had to accept modernity and move on. Viewers not only see the language use of Wollof and by the Africans, but also the American aspect from Rock and Roll. The "clicks" in the film have their own preferences for music, but it was interesting to hear the American music played. For different events, there were different types of music played. During the "parties" that take place throughout the movie, viewers hear American music, but while planning the parties viewers hear French music. Senegal's music is heard by the viewers when trying to "heal" Mr. Benoit. This concept of music leads to the title of the film: Rocking Popenguine, because of the music being played throughout.

It was also important to understand who was from what culture and the age differences. The older members of the Popenguine community wore the traditional cultural "uniform," while the younger generation tried dressing more stylish, and by stylish we mean like the Americans. This leads back into the aspect of American Rock and Roll. One of the "clicks" in particular wear bell-bottom pants and "cool" accessories. Trying to become a "white person" was how a few of their parents described their own children. This same concept leads viewers to take into consideration how Africa must accept modernity in the country itself.

Mr. Benoit was undergoing a lot of pressure and nervousness from his presence in Popenguine, Senegal. He is a single man who does not feel a part of Africa of France. He did not feel like he belonged in either country, which frustrated him. One scene showed a temper tantrum where he was in opposition about France and Africa, and who colonized who. The African people in these scene were in shock, and wanted to help Mr. Benoit fix his personal problem. Singing to him in Wollof (which he understood and spoke) was his treatment. The Africans made him feel better about himself by pairing him with a woman, which could lead into a future wedding and family. When persuading Mr. Benoit that he belonged to the African culture, he was once again happy. This proves that once again people of different races or cultures can come together without conflict.

Not only was language a huge part of accepting modernity, but also technology. There is one scene that focused primarily on the television set that was brought into the community. It was as if the people had never seen this product before. After Mr. Benoit helped solve the issue in order for the TV to work properly, everyone was amused. While the American program was being viewed in French language, the program was interrupted with prayer time. This was interesting, but must be viewed to show more details. A viewer can establish that the TV was also a part of the African future, which was a part of modernity.

There were however some confusing scenes to this film. The "making love" scene seemed nearly pointless, without any meaning. Another part that was confusing was when the boys went fishing and almost drowned. Absa messed up with the casting from day to night so quickly. With the boys only a little off shore, it should have been impossible for help to have taken so long to go out and try rescuing them. This could have been easily changed with proper thinking. Another confusing scene was the conclusion, which will also have to be viewed for more information.

Any viewer should be able to realize that the world is changing drastically day by day with new technology and cultural aspects. Not only is new technology being developed, but also new traditions throughout cultures. Ca Twiste a Popenguine is one example of how cautiousness should be taken into consideration when producing a film, as well as what significant points are supposed to be absorbed by a film's viewers.

Ca Twiste a Popenguine

[rathjerob · 6/10 · 24 October 2006]

I agree with most of viewers comments about this film. I enjoyed how it shows th cultural struggle to hold onto traditional values while dealing with struggles of change. This coming of age story about a group of friends and them trying to find themselves in more colonized Senegal shows how the even in Africa the younger generations struggle with accepting new western beliefs with the sacrifice of more traditional ones. Also i thought the actors did an adequate job and while sometimes the editing was crude, shockingly the sound for the film carries the flow of the movie as well as any major motion picture. While not many major films often come out of Africa this film definitely shows that they have talent their and are more than capable of making an entertaining movie that touches on some moral and traditional values that African's hold dear.

A beautiful film about adolescence in the Senegal of the 1960's and about young people caught between the world of tradition and the world of the modern.

[rajaour · 10/10 · 24 October 2006]

This film is entertaining - certainly the beautiful and haunting song of Isseu Niang is worth the price of admission. Everyone will enjoy this film as they watch it, and then will think seriously about its consequences.

But the film is also about coming of age as the world of tradition gives way grudgingly to the world of the modern. The imagery of the teenagers 'stealing' electric power from the mosque for their party, the traditional silhouette puppet theater of the Wolof nation in which African and European themes are confused, and the 'Kings' (fans of American pop music) and the 'Ins' (fans of French pop music) vie against each other all form a theme that goes beyond the frontiers of Senegal and beyond the coasts of Africa.

"Twist à Popenguine" offers an amusing view of cultural conflict and generational conflict, but also the gradual and sad loss of a heritage.

The two worlds Ca Twiste a Popenguine

[Stickney09 · 7/10 · 16 May 2011]

The move Ca Twiste a Popenguine is a wonderful portrayal of Africa and how they are dealing with changes of outside cultures. The film shows the lives of children who are trapped between two cultures. In the film each child has three names; there Arabic name in which their family members use, a French name that is used at school, and lastly the name they choose for their self, which is most often an American rock stars name. The children are stuck in limbo between different worlds because of culture. The irony in this is the teen's teacher Monsieur Benoit who is there teaching them French, feels alienated from both Senegal and France. What makes this ironic is that although the teens are mixed between different cultures and they seem to have a firm grasp on who they are. They are fine with the two cultures as long as you remain true to yourself.

During another scene an argument happens between Monsieur Benoit and Jabeel, one of the teen boys fathers, about the children's future. Benoit believes the teens should strive for bigger and better horizons. While Jabeel believes the teens should be just like their fathers. In this scene the viewers see the give and take from two cultures. The last scene of the film is a great example of post-modernism, when tradition and new fads are mixed together, because the teens threw a party with a mixture of cultures, music, and dancing.

Overall Ca Twiste a popenguine was a good film to show African culture. I was worried I would not be able to understand the background of the film and some references made about past issues, but the film is actually an easy follow. What we learned in class helped me to better understand the film, but a anyone can enjoy this upbeat African film.

Popenguine

[saltfork51 · 6/10 · 23 October 2006]

I found this movie to be entertaining much like that of a local or high school play. It was obviously a low budget film yet I heard a message that I could not miss. This film has 3 underlying tones: 1) that this was a Europhone story and the people of Popenguine on the Senegalese coast were telling a story of their lives masked in French. 2) It also unmasked the "francophone" by revealing the indoctrination of French in a Popenguien school and the effect that it is having on the youth of Senegal. 3) The progression of the people of Senegal to open their hearts to Mr. Benoit (the French school teacher) and embrace both cultures, one as a tool (French Language) and one as their identity (Wolof). The young actors are very entertaining but amateur. My favorite character was little Bacc. The very clever and loud youngest side kick. This was a short film worth my time. I give Ca Twiste a rating of 6 of 10.

Africa Meets French

[ashleyparsons115 · 7/10 · 16 May 2011]

Twiste a Popenguine is a movie definitely worth seeing. The movie follows two different groups of teenagers who live in Africa. You really get a feel for how life was back then in Africa. The movie follows the children around in their everyday life and shows how colonized they have become. The music that the director uses throughout the movie really ties everything together. Some of the music may even be familiar as it is popular rock and roll songs that are still around today. The movie is narrated to kind of give one the feel that it is an autobiography of one's life. Personally I thought this made the movie a lot easier to understand and follow along too. Both groups have to adapt to the changes in modernity throughout the whole movie. It is very interesting to see how this happens and how they each react to what is going on.

There is one person in the movie who is not a native of Africa, Mr. Benoit. It is interesting to see how he adapts to the culture and fits in with everyone else in the movie. He plays an important part of showing just how much the society is colonized and how to adapt to it. Throughout the whole movie he feels as if he doesn't belong to any country and doesn't know what to do. Luckily he gets accepted into the community and finally feels like he belongs. It's insightful to see how he progresses on his journey.

The whole society is influenced by French colonization. At school the children are only allowed to learn French. I found it so interesting that they speak French and not their native language of Wolof. There is so much French adapted in the movie that you wouldn't even think you were in Africa at times. The only real problem I saw with the movie was the acting wasn't what you would find in most movies. The director casted all regular every day people so you can tell that they don't have acting experience or that the lines were written ahead of time with a script. This gives you the feeling though that it is more of a real autobiographical movie.

This movie is definitely one worth watching if you want to see how Africa has become colonized. Be warned the ending of the movie ends abruptly but it still makes the movie worth watching. The fact that it isn't widely distributed will hopefully change in the upcoming years as well.