Banel & Adama

The titular Senegalese couple at the center of this visually ravishing romantic drama faces several challenges—Adama is in line to be chief but doesn’t want the responsibility, while Banel insists they should not have children, especially in light of the economic hardships brought about by drought. Tired of being relegated to female-designated roles, Banel would rather relocate outside the village, where sandstorms have buried several houses but she and Adama would be removed from the daily life that hems them in. Though deeply in love and prepared to realize his beloved’s wishes, Adama is more pragmatic and concerned about their livelihoods and familial responsibilities. Ramata-Toulaye Sy’s poetic debut, which competed at the Cannes Film Festival, tells a fablelike story imbued with dreamlike imagery and palpable chemistry between the two young lovers at its heart.