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
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Moussa Touré
Souleymane Seye Ndiaye, Laïty Fall, Malaminé ‘Yalenguen’ Dramé
Senegal/France/Germany
2012
In French and Wolof with English subtitles
Violence
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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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African Cinema Now! is an ongoing guest-curated series by Akojo Film Collective showcasing contemporary African film.
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