La pirogue France, Germany, Senegal 2012

Movie Rating

La pirogue

Movie Rating: Agathe Tissier

30 men get into a flat-bottomed boat to sail from Dakar to Europe via the Canary Islands.

Bayla Laye (Souleymane Seye Ndiaye) reluctantly accepts to captain a pirogue from Dakar to the Canary Islands. The fisherman feels responsible for potentially risking the lives of his neighbors, knowing he's the only one who can get them safely to their destination in this rickety symbol of a better life. And it's not going to be smooth sailing, with 1,500 km to cover in one week – if all goes well. Leaving his wife and child at home, he sets out with his passengers, with the firm intention of making it to their destination. Some have never seen the ocean; others will never see land again...

Moussa Toure's documentary-style story takes place mainly on the cramped boat, where there is still room for modesty and intimacy, despite the heart-rendingly tragic subject matter. A sensitive film that tells its story with finesse and subtlety, in which each character has their place. The story of this painful journey shared by men moved by a common will, who have to tolerate their differences in religion, age and motivation, would do well to be shown in schools.

28.11.2012

4

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