Ca Twiste Poponguine as it is translated into English rocking Poponguine reflects how Senegal deals with the influence from French and American cultures. Colonialism is presented as being a good thing for the future children of Poponguine because it prepares the children how to deal with the city and prepares them for their journey of possibly going to Paris one day. The children learning the French language is a positive factor because it means that the children are becoming educated for future endeavors. The characters in the movie, mainly the children, have three names. Three names are giving because each name is used in a different setting. The children give themselves American names after the celebrities that they adore, which is used outside for social events, a traditional Wolofe name that was given to them at birth and is used by immediate family and friends and a French name that is used for them when they attend school.
Bacc, the main character is an orphan. He is taken care of by his grandmother and others in the community. His mother is said to have been lost in the city. Bacc gets into many accounts of trouble by hustling between the In's and the Kings. The In's group represents the French influence with music and poetry, while the Kings love to listen to James Brown and Jimmy Hendrix. Bacc puts his personal interest above the both groups. His needs come before any of the two groups.
M. Benoit is sent from the French government to teach the children about France and the French language. Many in the city love M. Benoit because he has accustomed himself to be like the local by learning to speak their language. He faces the problem of being colonized by the Africans which in turn he should be colonizing them. He reaches a point in the movie to state that he is not sure if he belongs in France or in Poponguine. The people of Poponguine are sure that he belongs there and in turn treat him as if he is a member of the village.
At points the movie comes into conflict of language. Some of the Islam's think that the children are losing their African identity because they are speaking the French language instead of their own local tongue. Yet, M. Benoit reminds them that there is a reason for them learning French and that they will not lose their native but only enhance their knowledge of the world and what is taking place in their country. When everything is together the cultures must give and take from each other. Religion comes into play throughout the movie because Islam's believe that their way is the best way.
The movie demonstrates how much music can influence an entire culture from clothes, to dance and even the way children write and speak. Regardless of what culture the music comes from a country one must give and take to make the music their own.
This movie shows that greatness can be achieved even when colonization has taken place in the country. Each country is benefiting and learning from each other therefore improving the countries on both ends of the colonization.
Bacc, the main character is an orphan. He is taken care of by his grandmother and others in the community. His mother is said to have been lost in the city. Bacc gets into many accounts of trouble by hustling between the In's and the Kings. The In's group represents the French influence with music and poetry, while the Kings love to listen to James Brown and Jimmy Hendrix. Bacc puts his personal interest above the both groups. His needs come before any of the two groups.
M. Benoit is sent from the French government to teach the children about France and the French language. Many in the city love M. Benoit because he has accustomed himself to be like the local by learning to speak their language. He faces the problem of being colonized by the Africans which in turn he should be colonizing them. He reaches a point in the movie to state that he is not sure if he belongs in France or in Poponguine. The people of Poponguine are sure that he belongs there and in turn treat him as if he is a member of the village.
At points the movie comes into conflict of language. Some of the Islam's think that the children are losing their African identity because they are speaking the French language instead of their own local tongue. Yet, M. Benoit reminds them that there is a reason for them learning French and that they will not lose their native but only enhance their knowledge of the world and what is taking place in their country. When everything is together the cultures must give and take from each other. Religion comes into play throughout the movie because Islam's believe that their way is the best way.
The movie demonstrates how much music can influence an entire culture from clothes, to dance and even the way children write and speak. Regardless of what culture the music comes from a country one must give and take to make the music their own.
This movie shows that greatness can be achieved even when colonization has taken place in the country. Each country is benefiting and learning from each other therefore improving the countries on both ends of the colonization.