Watch Borom Sarret

Borom Sarret is a groundbreaking short film from 1963 directed by Ousmane Sembène and starring Ly Abdoulaye as the titular character. Set in Dakar, Senegal, the film follows a day in the life of Borom Sarret, a poor cart driver struggling to make ends meet. The film starts with a close-up of the character's face, mourning the fact that he has not yet made any money that day. Sarret uses his cart to carry people and goods around the city, and the film takes the audience on a journey through the streets of Dakar, showcasing the hardships that Sarret and his colleagues face on a daily basis.

Sembène's direction and storytelling are a stark contrast to the Hollywood-style narratives that were common during the time period. Instead, he chooses to focus on raw realism, depicting the struggles of everyday people in a neorealist style. The film is presented in black and white, adding to the grittiness of the streets and overall poverty of Dakar.

Throughout the film, Sembène also touches on several social issues that were prevalent in Senegal at the time, including corruption within the police force, class divisions, and racism. For example, in one scene, Sarret is stopped by police officers who demand money from him, even though he has not committed any crime. The audience is left to ponder the power dynamics at play in a society where the poor are routinely subjected to abuse by those in positions of authority.

Furthermore, Sembène also brings to light the tensions between the French colonizers and the Senegalese population. The film features several instances of French police brutality, symbolizing the larger issues of colonialism and oppression that the film seeks to address.

Despite its short runtime of just 18 minutes, Borom Sarret packs a powerful punch, leaving audiences with a sense of despair at the harsh realities that Sarret and his fellow Senegalese citizens face daily. Throughout the film, Ly Abdoulaye delivers a standout performance as Borom Sarret, perfectly capturing his character's weariness and frustration.

Overall, Borom Sarret is a landmark film in African cinema history, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in Senegal during a time of great change and upheaval. Sembène's direction is masterful, and his message about the need to address systemic injustices resonates just as strongly today as it did over half a century ago.