Xime

The year is 1963. The good rice crop announced for the year encourages the village of Xime to optimism. But Lala, a widower and the father of Raul and Bedan, is worried. Raul, Lala’s eldest son, is studying with priests in Bissau, but the colonial authorities are looking for him. Where is he? Lala’s younger son, Bedan, who stayed in the village is nearing adolescence, a time when young people behave as if anything were allowed.He braves the authorities, makes a nuisance of himself and falls in love with his father’s fiancé.When their Aunt Samy comes out of a coma, it is to announce to Lala that catastrophes await them. Raul returns to the village but his father disowns him. Bedan, although he understands Raul’s revolutionary ideas, is not prepared to accept them. Raul is also rejected by the Priest who taught him. When Raul goes away the village seems to quieten down. It is time for Bedan to go through the initiation rite all young people go through before attaining adulthood.This rite teaches them to shun violence and to embrace gentleness and reflection. It is in the middle of this initiation rite that soldiers arrive chasing after Raul whom they kill.The film ends when Bedan, initiated to non-violence, realizes that the situation in his country is in contradiction with this tradition.Bedan, before his dead brother, rejects the teachings of his masters and declares, "This time it’s war".

Production:
Molenwiek Film BV (Amsterdam), Arco Iris (Bissau), Les Matins Films (France), Cap Verde (Senegal).

With the participation of:
FONDS SUD CINEMA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre National de la Cinématographie - France).

Festival:
Sélection officielle Cannes 1994.