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The Pirogue film image; man standing tall with his legs spread wide

The Pirogue

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Baye Laye (Souleymane Seye Ndiaye) is the captain of a fishing pirogue. Like many of his Senegalese compatriots, he sometimes dreams of new horizons, where he can earn a better living for his family. When he is offered the chance to lead one of the many pirogues that head towards Europe via the Canary Islands, he reluctantly accepts the job, knowing full-well the dangers that lie ahead. Leading a group of 30 men who don’t all speak the same language, some of whom have never seen the sea, Baye Laye will confront many perils in order to reach the distant coasts of Europe.

A bold, stirring rendering of the precarious journeys people embark on to build fulfilling lives for themselves and family. Moussa Touré enraptures and chills us to the bone in what is a daring film made in homage to many Africans lost at sea.

Akojo Film Collective

 

Media Partner

Community Partner

     

Director

Moussa Touré

Cast

Souleymane Seye Ndiaye, Laïty Fall, Malaminé ‘Yalenguen’ Dramé

Credits
Country of Origin

Senegal/France/Germany

Year

2012

Language

In French and Wolof with English subtitles

Content Warning

Violence

19+
87 min

Book Tickets

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Credits

Screenwriter

Éric Névé, David Bouchet

Cinematography

Thomas Letellier

Editor

Josie Miljevic

Original Music

Prince Ibrahima Ndour

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