Mali Twist

Released Feb 24, 2023

2h 9m

Drama

Romance

List

86%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Mali, 1962. The youth of Bamako dance the twist to rock and roll music newly imported from the West and dream of political renewal. Samba, a young socialist, falls for spirited Lara during one of his missions to the bush. To escape her forced marriage, she secretly flees with him to the city. But Lara’s husband won't let them be and the Revolution soon brings painful challenges as they dream of a future together.

Marya E. Gates

RogerEbert.com

The [filmmakers] are arguing for why they should be allowed to tell a tale of postcolonial Mali, when they both come from the colonizing country. This paternalism masked in white guilt hangs over the otherwise stylish and passionate film like a thick fog.

Rated: 2/4

Feb 24, 2023

Full Review

A.O. Scott

New York Times

The cast is... dynamic and sincere in a way that gives the drama a buoyant teen-movie spirit even as it takes a grave turn. It’s affecting, but also a bit glib.

Feb 23, 2023

Full Review

Avi Offer

NYC Movie Guru

A captivating and genuinely heartfelt love story with shades of West Side Story.

Feb 23, 2023

Full Review

Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

People from colonizing countries can present a critical anti-colonial position, and it opens a conversation... [Full review in Spanish]

Aug 22, 2022

Full Review

Carlos Boyero

El Pais (Spain)

A titillating and complicated love story in constant threat from old and unfair traditions. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 8, 2022

Full Review

Pablo Vázquez

Fotogramas

... Pure cinema. Because it has universal emotional power, is a classic love story, a live portrait of postcolonial Mali on the brink of an improbable socialist revolution. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Jul 7, 2022

Full Review

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Stephen O

Very well done and well acted. An engaging story that raises interesting issues about forced marriage, socialism, colonialism and African independence. Recommended!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/23

Full Review

Hm S

A vibrant and beautiful dystopian tale of romance and politics, dreams and disillusions in postcolonial 1960s Mali in West Africa.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/23

Full Review

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Robert Guédiguian

Director

Stéphane Bak

Samba Touré

Alice Da Luz

Lara

Saabo Balde

Jules

Bakary Diombera

Badian

Ahmed Dramé

Bakary

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Synopsis

Mali, 1962. The youth of Bamako dance the twist to rock and roll music newly imported from the West and dream of political renewal. Samba, a young socialist, falls for spirited Lara during one of his missions to the bush. To escape her forced marriage, she secretly flees with him to the city. But Lara’s husband won't let them be and the Revolution soon brings painful challenges as they dream of a future together.

Director: Robert Guédiguian
Screenwriter: Robert Guédiguian, Gilles Taurand
Distributor: ArtMattan Films
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 24, 2023, Limited
Runtime: 2h 9m