Dancing the Twist in Bamako


Mali, 1962: The youth of Bamako dance the twist to rock ’n’ roll music (newly imported from the West) and dream of political renewal. Samba, a young socialist, falls for spirited Lara during one of his missions to the bush. To escape her forced marriage, Lara secretly flees with Samba to the city. But Lara’s husband won’t let them be, and a revolution soon brings painful disillusions as they dream of a future together. The Dancing the Twist in Bamako filmmakers took inspiration from the photography of Malick Sidibé, who is well represented in the MFAH collection.


The MFAH film department is supported by Tenaris; The June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation; the Vaughn Foundation; The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea; Nina and Michael Zilkha; Franci Neely; Carrin Patman and Jim Derrick; Ms. Laurence Unger; L'Alliance Française de Houston; and ILEX Foundation.

Dancing the Twist in Bamako

Directed by Robert Guédiguian
(France/Canada/Senegal/Mali, 2021, 129 minutes, in French with English subtitles)
Lynn Wyatt Theater, Digital

Location

Nancy and Rich Kinder Building
5500 Main Street
Houston, TX 77004
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