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Little Senegal

Name: Little Senegal
Director: Rachid Bouchareb
Released: 2001
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

2001

Director

Rachid Bouchareb

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Little Senegal is a powerful exploration of the African diaspora, focusing on West African perspectives and challenging Eurocentric historical narratives. By shifting the narrative from Gorée Island to Harlem, the film emphasizes the immigrant experience as its core theme. However, the film's scope is limited in representing certain identity markers. It adheres to traditional social structures and lacks representation for LGBTQ+ individuals or characters with disabilities. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its nuanced critique of post-colonial identity and the systemic challenges faced by immigrant communities in Western capitalist systems.

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Category Breakdown

Does Little Senegal have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or explore non-straight relationships.

How does Little Senegal portray gender?

Fair

Women like Ida and Biram play significant roles in the story, but the film still reflects traditional social structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Little Senegal?

Excellent

The film centers a predominantly Black, Senegalese cast to challenge typical Hollywood narratives. It treats the immigrant experience as the main storyline.

How does Little Senegal represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story examines the impact of colonial history and the challenges of assimilation. Religious and cultural traditions are central to the characters' identities.

Does Little Senegal include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not depict any characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

The film effectively centers the West African diaspora as the primary narrative lens.
It offers a sophisticated post-colonial critique through the journey from Gorée to Harlem.
Characters take control while navigating the complexities of the immigrant experience.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and non-straight experiences.
There are no visible or invisible depictions of characters with disabilities.
The film largely upholds traditional social and gender hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

Fascinated by the history of his people, Alloune, an old guide at the African museum "La Maison des Esclaves" in Gorée, sets off on a pilgrimage to find the descendants of his ancestors in the United States. This moving journey takes him from the coast of South Carolina to the Harlem neighborhood of Little Senegal, home to the African community. Driven by the idea of reuniting his family across centuries and borders, Alloune traces his roots to a distant cousin, Ida, who knows nothing of his past. The old man also crosses paths with his nephew Hassan, a clandestine cab driver, his fiancée Biram, Eileen, pregnant and a runaway, and Karim, who is seeking a sham marriage to obtain a green card. All four misunderstand Alloune's quest.

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