Name: Wallay
Genre: Drama
Released: 2017-06-28
Duration: 1 h 24 min
Rating: 6.5
Cast: Makan Nathan Diarra, Ibrahim Koma, Hamadoun Kassogué

Ah, Wallay. A film that starts like a moral lesson and ends up forgetting what the point of it all was. Let's unpack this one.

So, we've got Ady (a rapscallion French teenager who decides stealing cash meant for his family in Burkina Faso is a solid life choice). His dad ships him off to "learn responsibility" with a strict uncle in Burkina Faso. Classic "uncle knows best" setup, right? But then... the story sort of meanders into the Sahel Desert and forgets why it's there.

The first half is solid: vibrant shots of Burkina Faso, some awkward culture-clash comedy (Ady's snarky attitude vs. Rural work ethic), and a few heartfelt moments where you think, "Okay, maybe this kid's gonna grow up." But then... the uncle's obsession with circumcising him? What even was that subplot? It felt like the scriptwriters stepped into a little uncomfortable territory there trying to FORCE that upon him, secretly at times.

And when Ady sidesteps the whole thing by selling his stolen gadgets (still shady, mate), the film just... shrugs. No real reckoning, no growth, just a plane ticket back to France because he saved his uncle's life that HE endangered in the first place.

If Ady's uncle is so strict, why does he let the kid basically freeload? And why the sudden circumcision panic? It's like the film thought it needed *more* drama and spent way too long focusing on that.

Ady "learns" something vague about gratitude, but since he skates out of actual consequences, it rings hollow. Imagine grounding your kid for a month... then letting them go right back to their ways anyway.

If you're into films that showcase lesser-seen cultures and don't mind a loose, meandering story, sure. It's beautifully shot and occasionally charming, but don't expect a tight narrative or deep themes. It's like a dish with great ingredients but no seasoning, visually appetizing, but ultimately... bland.

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

A 13-year-old boy is sent from his home in France to live with extended family in rural Burkina Faso.

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Makan Nathan Diarra and Mounira Kankolé in Wallay (2017)

Joséphine Kaboré and Mounira Kankolé in Wallay (2017)

Ibrahim Koma and Makan Nathan Diarra in Wallay (2017)

Wallay

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