Xala

Mr. Minister,

representatives,

and honorable colleagues,

never before has an African been president

of our chamber of commerce.

We must take back what is ours,

what is ours by right.

We must control our industry, our commerce,

and our culture.

In short, we must take our destiny into our own hands.

Before our people,

we must show we're as capable

as other peoples in the world.

We are businessmen!

We must take over management of all businesses,

including the banks.

There's no turning back now.

This is the culmination of our struggle for true independence.

This is an historic day.

It is a victory

for our people.

It is the sons of the people who now lead the people

on behalf of the people.

We choose socialism,

the only true socialism,

African socialism.

Socialism on a human scale.

Our independence is complete.

Mr. Minister,

representatives

and honorable colleagues,

our revolutionary efforts have not been in vain.

Taking over this chamber of commerce

is sanctioned by an official text written by our illustrious guide,

the father of our nation.

We must band together in a spirit of solidarity,

because our enemies have not disarmed.

Gentlemen,

to seal this memorable date,

we are invited to the wedding celebration

of our honorable colleague El Hadji Abdou Kader Beye,

who is taking his third wife today.

Well, modernity mustn't make us lose our Africanity!

Well said!

Long live Africanity!

El Hadji, you have the floor.

Gentlemen, by this time,

the religious ceremony has ended.

Forgive me, Mr. President,

Mr. Minister,

representatives and honorable colleagues.

I am again married out of duty.

I ask you all to do me the honor

of attending the festivities this evening.

I guarantee you that nothing will be lacking.

Mr. Minister, representatives and honorable colleagues,

this meeting is adjourned.

These are wedding gifts from the new in-laws.

-A TV set. -That's the thing now.

The key to a Citroën DS.

Very popular.

She's of noble lineage. I'm not surprised.

This box is full of gold.

That's the tradition.

Mother, I don't approve of Papa taking a third wife.

Did you really say you approve?

Rama, I don't approve either,

if you really want my opinion.

-Then get a divorce. -A divorce? God forbid!

Who would marry me then?

I'd be lucky to be some man's third or fourth wife.

Where would I go?

I don't know what you're scared of.

This house is yours.

Everything here is yours. It's all in your name.

Nothing here is Papa's.

That's true.

But you know we owe all this to your father.

Now that we're being tested,

the honorable thing is to show some resilience.

I know you're my mother,

but we're very different.

I know for sure I'll never share my husband

with another woman.

Hello, everyone.

Hello, Rama.

Still playing around with your language transcriptions?

-Adja. -Yes.

How are you?

I'm fine.

Are you ready?

We've been waiting for you.

I'll be right out.

I'm not going.

You know I do have to go.

It's the custom to attend these ceremonies.

It's the honorable thing for me to do.

All men are the same.

They're all bastards.

Who are bastards?

Men.

Why are they bastards?

A man with two wives is a liar and a hypocrite.

With three, he's even worse.

Say that again!

A man with two wives is a liar and a hypocrite.

With three, he's even worse.

El Hadji, let's go.

Never forget I'm still in charge in this house!

If you don't like it, take your revolution elsewhere!

You hear me?

Let's go.

It is people like your father,

who kicked out the colonizers and liberated this country,

polygamy is part of our religious heritage.

Let's go. We'll be late.

Mama, Papa's here with his first wife.

Don't shout. I heard you.

Adja, get out of the car,

and come say hi to Oumy.

You're at her front door.

It doesn't cost you anything.

Have you really forgotten?

Remember this.

As your first wife,

I'm Oumy's senior.

Remember that from now on.

Say hello for me.

-Hello, children. -Hello, Papa.

-Where's your mother? -Upstairs.

Papa, could you help me out? I'm broke.

-How much you need? -A thousand francs.

Thanks.

Hey, little one.

Come in.

You all ready?

Who's in the Mercedes with you?

Hey, don't sit on that.

Who's in the car?

-Adja Awa. -Adja Awa?

-She's waiting for us. -Can't she come in?

She prefers to wait.

Tell her to come in.

Mariem!

Yes, Mama?

Go tell your aunt to come in.

Tell her I'm in the shower.

I'm sure she talked you into taking a third wife

just to annoy me.

Well, we'll just see!

You big fat pushover!

She's just jealous...

because I'm younger.

It's nothing but spite and jealousy.

She got you to take a third wife.

Well, you'll both regret it!

The old dried-up fish! Who does she think she is?

Are you done complaining?

What if I am?

I'm warning you.

I don't want any arguing here or there!

Mark my words.

Oh, is that so?

Is that all you have to say?

You big fat pushover!

I'm sure she's the one behind this third marriage.

Your new wife is no different from the rest of us.

You think she's better than us?

Her slit is vertical like every other woman's!

Come in.

She prefers to stay in the car.

Fine. Let her.

No one's gonna stop me from being there.

I'm going there whether you like it or not.

Now fork over some money,

since you're spending so lavishly on others.

That's not enough. More.

More!

You useless pushover!

Any woman can have her way with you.

Get up! Let's go.

It's neither her allotted turn with you nor mine.

Who gets to sit in the back with you?

-You look worried over here. -How are you?

-What's wrong? -Business. What else?

The party's jumping, with women galore!

Sure, but you know how business is.

What is this business of yours?

I'm working on a deal involving tourism.

Sounds interesting!

I'm looking for someone to handle it.

How much would you pay me?

Ten percent.

-How much do you want? -I'll do it for 15.

Fifteen percent?

Okay, 15 percent.

-Word of honor? -Yes.

And how will you pay?

-By check. -No! I never leave a paper trail.

Cash only.