Watch Touki Bouki

Touki Bouki is a 1973 Senegalese film directed by Djibril Diop Mambéty. The film tells the story of Mory, a young, dreamy-eyed cowherd, and Anta, a university student, who are both disillusioned with life in Dakar, Senegal. The two embark on a journey to France in search of better opportunities and a better life. Mory dreams of owning a motorcycle, while Anta is looking for a way out of her oppressive and traditional society. The two are in love and determined to leave their impoverished lives behind. They make money through small heists and scams, and the possibility of reaching their dream destination of Paris feels within reach.

As Mory and Anta are making their plans, they encounter an array of characters, including a charismatic and flamboyant dressmaker named Charlie, who promises to help them make their way to France. However, the cost of their dreams will ultimately prove to be too high.

The film is visually stunning, with gorgeous shots of Senegal's landscape and a unique and experimental cinematography style. The director weaves together a variety of techniques, including surrealism and onomatopoeia, to create a captivating and unforgettable experience.

Touki Bouki doesn't shy away from exploring the complexities of the postcolonial condition in Senegal. The film reflects the disillusionment and frustration felt by many in West Africa after decolonization, and it highlights the tensions between traditional African culture and Western modernity.

The film is also a meditation on the transformative potential of migration. Mory and Anta's journey to France represents a larger trend of African youth leaving their home countries in search of better opportunities abroad. The film imagines what it would take for them to break free from the social and economic barriers that keep them from realizing their dreams.

The energetic and colorful soundtrack, created by the legendary Senegalese musician Djibril Diop Mambéty, fuses traditional African rhythms with rock, jazz, and psychedelic music. The music captures the youthful energy and rebellious spirit of the film's protagonists.

Despite its poignant themes and striking visuals, the film was not initially well-received and struggled to find an audience. However, in recent years, Touki Bouki has become a classic of African cinema and is widely considered one of the most influential films in African history.

Touki Bouki is a film that defies categorization. It is a love story, a road movie, a social commentary, and an aesthetic experiment all at once. It is a beautifully crafted work that captures the spirit of its time and place while resonating with audiences across cultures and generations.

Touki Bouki is a 1973 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.