In the film “A Childhood Love,” Ben Diogaye Beye, one of the pioneers of Senegalese cinema, uses childhood memories to illustrate a very dramatic juvenile love story.
One of his most popular films, “A Childhood Love” is vintage Beye in that it is purpose-driven and inspiring, but also explores the larger themes of tradition and modernity.
The film was one of three screened on campus during a visit last month by the writer-director, who also spoke on “Film: Economic, Cultural and Social Dimensions in the Global Context.” The Office of International Programs sponsored his visit.
Beye said his films are not driven by special effects. “Special effects come from a computer, and a computer isn’t art,” he said.
Although set in Senegal and filmed in French, “Un Amour d’Enfant” (A Childhood Love) deals with issues that are relevant to urban America – strikes at the workplace, beggars going door to door and bootlegger/hustlers getting harassed by the police until arrested.
But the overall theme cannot be missed: love among a group of 12-year-old friends. From love letters to fighting, idolizing Michael Jordan and also lying about how many girlfriends they had, the youths in this film conduct themselves in much the same way that many youths in this society do.
Standout wide-receiver for Ram football Michael Scarborough was among the students who turned out for the film. “This was a great movie and had me reminiscing on my own childhood,” he said. Not even subtitles diminished the film’s message, freshman Shaquan Wiggins added.
Other films produced by Beye include “Touki-Bouki,” “Baks” and “Samba Tali”(Street Kid), which won a Best Picture Award for best short film at the Festival International Film Ensemble Francophone(FIFIEF) in Geneva 1975.