Watch Poto and Cabengo

Poto and Cabengo is a 1979 documentary film by the renowned director Jean-Pierre Gorin. The movie revolves around the lives of two young twin sisters, Grace and Virginia Kennedy, who grow up in a small town in San Diego, California. The girls were known for their unique way of speaking, which was different from the language spoken by the majority of the population around them. Their parents named their language "Poto Cabengo" after the girls' nicknames. The girls' language had attracted the attention of linguists, scientists, and educators, who were eager to study the phenomenon and understand the twins' unique way of speaking.

The film documents the linguistic research conducted by a team of experts who attempted to decipher the twins' language. The experts believed that the girls may have created their own language as a means of communicating with each other in secret, away from the adult world. The documentary presents various interviews with the girls, their parents, siblings, as well as linguists and other specialists in the field of language development.

One of the key themes of the movie is the juxtaposition between the girls' unique language and the language spoken by the mainstream society in which they live. The documentary highlights the difficulty and misunderstanding that can arise when people try to communicate with each other using different languages or dialects. This theme is explored through the girls' interactions with their family, friends, and strangers they meet in the world around them.

Another significant aspect of the movie is the portrayal of the twins' family life. The documentary shows the daily routines and dynamics of the family, including their struggles and challenges raising two unique daughters. The family members discuss their experiences living with the twins, what it was like being a part of their lives, and how others responded to their language.

Throughout the film, Jean-Pierre Gorin employs a variety of cinematic techniques to convey the atmosphere and mood of the twins' world. The director makes use of slow-motion shots, dreamy sequences, and abstract imagery to create a sense of otherworldliness and intrigue. The music in the movie is also an important component, providing a haunting and ethereal background to the girls' story.

Overall, Poto and Cabengo is a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary film that explores the power of language and its impact on human communication. The movie raises important questions about the nature of language, its origin, and its role in shaping our identities and relationships. Through the unique lens of the twins' language, the movie invites the audience to reflect on the complexity and beauty of the human language and its endless possibilities.