Faat Kine

Kine` is a dynamic, middle-aged mother of two, living in the city of Dakar, in the African country of Senegal. Her son and daughter are both in their late teens, and are bright, happy and college bound. She works as the manager of a gas station, which in her country provides her with a comfortable living and a large home, which she shares not only with her children, but also with her mother (who she calls “Mommy”). However, this happy scene masks a much darker past of lost dreams, loneliness, violence and betrayal, of which the viewer only gradually becomes aware as the film progresses. As the story unfolds the director also introduces us to modern Senegalese society: it’s successes, internal tensions, joys, injustices, and above all it’s checkered past. In the process we learn not only of Kine`s life and family, but of the complexities of the world she lives in.

While still in high school, Kine` was seduced by one of her teachers and became pregnant. As a consequence she was expelled, and had to give up her dream of going to college. Later she became pregnant again, this time by a conman who promised to marry her, but who instead caused her to lose her life savings. Her father was so outraged by her first pregnancy and his "bastard" grandchild that he physically attacked her, and in the process seriously injured Mommy who had tried to intervene! Eventually he would abandon his wife, daughter and two grandchildren, and leave them with no means of support. Mommy protected her daughter through these many trials, but was unable to provide for her and her children. Kine` was forced to find work so that she could support them all, and in the process give up her hopes of ever returning to school. Though Kine` eventually becomes a successful businesswoman, her shattered dreams and many hardships have understandably left her with emotional scars that she sometimes struggles to deal with. She justifiably refuses to take abuse from anyone, but she is also quick tempered and sometimes hears criticism where none is intended, especially when talking to family members. Over the years she has had a number of lovers, but her past experiences have made her wary of serious commitments, and this has all too often lead her to involvements with men who are not worthy of her attention. Now that she is not only financially secure, but prosperous, she has drawn the attention of many undesirable men, chief among these are the fathers of her two children! Both men hope to use her again, this time by marrying her and thereby gaining free access to her money and property. In spite of her many problems, she is both generous and understanding, and for the most part is not only upbeat, but vivacious. She continues to work tenaciously to better herself and her family, while continually dodging whatever obstacles the world throws in her way. In the end it is that tenacity, when coupled with the love and support of her family, that help her to find peace of mind and contentment.

The world in which she lives is complex, and probably a very strange one to those of us in the western world. She and her society accept polygamy, and as a consequence many men have more than one wife. It’s not uncommon to see a herd of cattle driven through a residential area, or to see beggars on city streets, many of whom have some kind of physical disability. Tension exists between the Muslim majority, to which Kine` belongs, and a strong Roman Catholic minority. More importantly, tension exists between the more conservative elements in the society, who value patriarchy, tradition and respect for elders, and those who believe that many of these attitudes have not served Africa well. Kine` and her children are part of the latter group, and as a consequence speak openly about previously taboo subjects, such as sex, AIDS, and women’s rights. They also value education and innovation, and want to change Senegalese society, which they see as being dominated by corrupt leaders and western interests. These social and political ideas are interwoven into this story, and become a recurring theme throughout the film. They are not only meant to explain the conflicts and triumphs in Kine`s life, but to encourage debate about the state of affairs in modern Africa, and to applaud the women who contribute so much to it. In the final analysis this film is a celebration of these women, and suggests that they are the driving force for positive change on the continent today.

Though there is much to like about this film, there are also some things the viewer will find distracting, even irritating. The acting is often stagy, and at times almost wooden, though this seems to improve as the film goes on. The pace is sometimes painfully slow, as the director allows the camera to linger over shots (such as street scenes) that add little or nothing to the storyline or the films ambience. Too many subplots are introduced, usually for the purpose of political or social commentary, that also slow the pace and frequently confuse the viewer. The film is in French and Wolof (a west African language) with English subtitles. These are in white text and usually superimposed over an off-white background, so they can be difficult to see. Those that are legible sometimes flit across the screen too quickly, and cannot be read in their entirety. Yet, in spite of these difficulties I found that I was strangely caught up in this story, and cared about Kine` and the people around her . An interesting dynamic developed between the characters involved, where through their repeated clashes and kindnesses a storyline developed that I found intriguing, and that I wanted to stay with until the end! Once that end was reached I found a certain satisfaction in being there, as if I had finished a long, but fulfilling journey with an old friend.