Rotten Tomatoes
Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Mali Twist

Play trailer Poster for Mali Twist 2023 2h 9m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
88% Tomatometer 8 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.

Where to Watch

Mali Twist

Critics Reviews

View More
Marya E. Gates RogerEbert.com 02/24/2023
2/4
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. Go to Full Review A.O. Scott New York Times 02/23/2023
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. Go to Full Review Claire Fulton Loud and Clear Reviews 1d
3/5
Dancing the Twist in Bamako feels on the cusp of being a really powerful film about post-colonial life, the realities of revolution for the people themselves and a moving love story. Go to Full Review Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru 02/23/2023
A captivating and genuinely heartfelt love story with shades of West Side Story. Go to Full Review Erick Estrada Cinegarage 08/22/2022
People from colonizing countries can present a critical anti-colonial position, and it opens a conversation... [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Carlos Boyero El Pais (Spain) 07/08/2022
A titillating and complicated love story in constant threat from old and unfair traditions. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Mali Twist

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Robert Guédiguian

Director

Stéphane Bak

Samba Touré

Alice da Luz

Lara

Saabo Balde

Jules

Bakary Diombera

Badian

Ahmed Dramé

Bakary

More Like This

View All
A Season in France 92% 60% A Season in France Watchlist Drift Away 64% % Drift Away Watchlist Mediterranean Fever 80% % Mediterranean Fever Watchlist Princess 67% % Princess Watchlist Tortu % % Tortu Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Mali Twist

Mali Twist (2021) Mali Twist (2021) View more photos

Movie Info

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