Tall as the Baobab Tree (2012)

In a rural African village poised at the outer edge of the modern world, a teenage girl hatches a secret plan to rescue her 11-year-old sister from an arranged marriage.

Director:

Jeremy Teicher

Writers:

Jeremy Teicher (story), Alexi Pappas (co-writer)

Stars:

Alpha Dia, Cheikh Dia, Mboural Dia

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Alpha Dia	...	Sileye
Cheikh Dia	...	Amady
Mboural Dia	...	Mother
Mouhamed Diallo	...	Father
Dior Ka	...	Coumba
Oumul Ka	...	Debo

Storyline

Coumba and her little sister Debo are the first to leave their family's remote African village, where meals are prepared over open fires and water is drawn from wells, to attend school in the bustling city. But when an accident suddenly threatens their family's survival, their father decides to sell 11-year-old Debo into an arranged marriage. Torn between loyalty to her elders and her dreams for the future, Coumba hatches a secret plan to rescue her young sister from a fate she did not choose. A powerful voice from Africa's young generation, Grand comme le Baobab (Tall as the Baobab Tree) poignantly depicts a family struggling to find its footing at the outer edge of the modern world... where questions of right and wrong are not always black and white.

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | africa | forced marriage | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first international feature film performed in the colloquial Pulaar language, an ethnic language spoken mainly across West Africa.

User Reviews

Your Fate is Predetermined

Would have liked a bit more information on the culture of Senegal people highlighted in this film, for example, why the staining of gums and mouth area. Some answers are in the extra features, for example, we learn that marriage as young as 8 or 9 is acceptably common, as is having 1 or 2 children by age 15. The main plot idea was about arranged early marriages which is a horrendous way to deny a girl opportunities. Islam is no help as it's apparent that one is governed/destined (and should be resigned to) one's fate; usually accompanied by the phrases, "God is great" & "Praise God".

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Senegal

Language:

Pular

Release Date:

5 May 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tall as the Baobab Tree

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Color:

Color