Watch Tall as the Baobab Tree

Tall as the Baobab Tree is a poignant and heartwarming film from Senegal that tells the story of a teenage girl named Coumba, who is torn between following her own aspirations and staying loyal to her family's traditions. The movie begins in a small rural village, where Coumba and her siblings are helping their parents with their daily chores. Coumba dreams of pursuing an education and becoming a nurse, but her father wants her to marry a wealthy man from the city, in exchange for a large dowry that would help the family alleviate their financial difficulties.

However, Coumba's plans come to a standstill when her younger brother Amady falls from a tree and severely injures himself. The family cannot afford to pay for Amady's medical bills, and as a result, they consider selling their only head of cattle to a middleman in order to obtain some cash.

Coumba is determined to find another way to raise the money, and with the help of her boyfriend, a young man from the village who is studying in the city, she embarks on a risky journey to the nearest market town, where she hopes to sell some of her family's prized baobab tree fruits to a wealthy shopkeeper.

As Coumba travels farther and farther from her village, she encounters various obstacles and challenges, including a group of thieves who steal her money, a group of teenage boys who try to harass her, and a bus driver who refuses to take her to the market town.

Throughout her journey, Coumba remains resolute and persists in her quest to save her brother's life. She is also forced to confront some harsh realities about the world around her, including the harsh inequalities that exist between rural and urban areas in Senegal, and the various forms of gender discrimination that she faces.

The story is told with a gentle and understated tone, and the film's director, Jeremy Teicher, takes care to highlight the beauty and richness of Senegalese culture, from the vibrant colors and patterns of the traditional clothing worn by the characters, to the stunning landscapes and natural settings that serve as the backdrop for the story.

The film's cast, which includes both professional actors and first-time performers, is uniformly excellent, with each actor bringing a unique and individual perspective to their roles. Alpha Dia, Cheikh Dia, and Mboural Dia, in particular, give standout performances as Coumba's father, boyfriend, and little brother, respectively, imbuing their characters with warmth, humor, and a deep sense of humanity.

Overall, Tall as the Baobab Tree is a smart, affecting film that offers a nuanced and compassionate exploration of the complex issues facing contemporary Senegal. It is both a powerful social critique and a moving portrait of one young woman's quest to find her place in the world, and it is sure to resonate with viewers of all ages and backgrounds.

Tall as the Baobab Tree is a 2012 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.