Karmen

2001

1h 26m

Drama

Musical

List

79%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Vivacious dissident Karmen Gei (Djeinaba Diop Gai), stuck in a Senegalese prison, performs a dance so erotic and mesmerizing that she seduces the warden, Angelique (Stephanie Biddle), and is able to break out. Finally free and roaming the capital, Karmen crashes a military wedding and bewitches Col. Lamine Diop (Magaye Niang), whose ardor lands him in prison. After Karmen helps him escape, the two embark on a grand adventure across the West African coast.

Jonathan Curiel

San Francisco Chronicle

The film becomes an overwhelming pleasure, and you find yourself rooting for Gai's character to avoid the fate that has befallen every other Carmen before her.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 2, 2002

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Glenn Lovell

San Jose Mercury News

[Gai] comes closer to any actress I can remember to personifying independence in its purest and, yes, most intimidating form.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 1, 2002

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Ultimately betrayed by a script, whose initially ambiguous charm gives way to disorder and confusion.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 12, 2002

Full Review

Phil Hall

Film Threat

Wobbly Senegalese updating of "Carmen" which is best for the stunning star turn by Djeinaba Diop Gai

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 8, 2002

Full Review

Jon Popick

Planet S Magazine

Interesting and thoroughly unfaithful version of Carmen

Oct 4, 2002

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

San Francisco Examiner

Karmen moves like rhythm itself, her lips chanting to the beat, her long, braided hair doing little to wipe away the jeweled beads of sweat.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 2, 2002

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Audience Member

A very loose transposition, well worth the time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

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Joseph Gaï Ramaka

Director

Djeinaba Diop Gai

Karmen Geï

Magaye Niang

Lamine Diop

Stephanie Biddle

Prison Gov. Angelique

Aïssatou Diop

Majiguene

Prosper Mérimée

Writer

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Synopsis

Vivacious dissident Karmen Gei (Djeinaba Diop Gai), stuck in a Senegalese prison, performs a dance so erotic and mesmerizing that she seduces the warden, Angelique (Stephanie Biddle), and is able to break out. Finally free and roaming the capital, Karmen crashes a military wedding and bewitches Col. Lamine Diop (Magaye Niang), whose ardor lands him in prison. After Karmen helps him escape, the two embark on a grand adventure across the West African coast.

Director: Joseph Gaï Ramaka
Producer: Richard Sadler
Screenwriter: Prosper Mérimée, Joseph Gaï Ramaka
Production Co: Paramount
Genre: Drama, Musical
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (DVD): Jun 11, 2007
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo