This savagely funny satire portrays El Hadji, a prosperous, self-satisfied, politically crooked modern businessman who is struck down by the xala (pronounced ³ha-la²) - a curse rendering its victim impotent. While he chases after witch doctors and soothsayers on a frantic, often hilarious search for a cure, his impotence becomes a mirror of the powerlessness of young African nations over dependent on white technology. Unable to consummate his third (polygamous) marriage, and neglecting his business affairs and political activities as he seeks a cure, his social stature is stripped away, leaving him shamed and humiliated. And while humorous, there is a sympathy in his downfall at the hands of others who are even more corrupt than he is. XALA is a moving and comical look at a man caught up in the corruption of his country and the tribulations of a changing society. Xala is a 1975 Senegalese film directed by Ousmane Sembène. It is an adaptation of Sembène's own 1973 novel of the same name. The title means'the curse' in the Wolof language Directed by Ousmane Sembène Produced by Paulin Vieyra Written by Ousmane Sembène Starring Thierno Léye, Seune Samb, Makhouradié Guèye,... Music by Samba Diabaré Samb Distributed by New Yorker Films (USA) Release date(s) July 1975 (Moscow Film Festival) October 1, 1975 (USA) Running time 123 min Language French / Wolof DVD avalaible New Yorker Films (USA) M3M (Médiathèque des Trois Mondes, France) Source : New Yorker Films From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia PRIX / FESTIVALS / AWARDS / DISTINCTIONS / TELEVISIONS 2007 | 2nd AiM, Africa in Motion | EDINBURGH, Scottland | www.africa-in-motion.org.uk * Opening Film