Saloum
- 2021
- 1h 24m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
In 2003, a trio of mercenaries escaping a coup in Guinea-Bissau take refuge in a hidden region on the Saloum river of Senegal. But something from beyond the grave awaits them there.In 2003, a trio of mercenaries escaping a coup in Guinea-Bissau take refuge in a hidden region on the Saloum river of Senegal. But something from beyond the grave awaits them there.In 2003, a trio of mercenaries escaping a coup in Guinea-Bissau take refuge in a hidden region on the Saloum river of Senegal. But something from beyond the grave awaits them there.
- Awards
- 1 win & 5 nominations total
Abdou Basse Dia
- Youce
- (as Cannabasse)
Cheikh Saadbou Diagne
- Militaire
- (as Chiekh Diagne)
Alvina Karamoko
- Awa
- (voice)
Featured reviews
I understand that some felt the movie was a bit like Tarantino at the beginning ... but you can't really put this into a box. There is so much going on - not everything is working - or rather flowing like a river. To put a pun into this. There are a few things that may have gone over my head at the first time viewing, but I know that you can't watch this and have a black and white view on things (no pun intended with this one). There is a lot of grey area within the movie and the moral compass you may have, will freak out on you.
That said, there is violence and there is a twist that I did not expect to happen like that. But having said that, the special effects this uses for exactly that are not worse than any big budget movie (imho). And this was clearly made with a fraction of the money any Hollywood Blockbuster is using. This played at the Fantasy Filmfest in Germany and it fitted right in. Try to read as little as possible about this and enjoy the crazy and out there story that also is shot very beautifully - landscapes and framing wise. The latter even in a one-shot that is filled with action and works so smoothy you may not even notice there is not a single cut in it.
If you're open minded, go ahead and broaden your horizons ... in more sense than one.
That said, there is violence and there is a twist that I did not expect to happen like that. But having said that, the special effects this uses for exactly that are not worse than any big budget movie (imho). And this was clearly made with a fraction of the money any Hollywood Blockbuster is using. This played at the Fantasy Filmfest in Germany and it fitted right in. Try to read as little as possible about this and enjoy the crazy and out there story that also is shot very beautifully - landscapes and framing wise. The latter even in a one-shot that is filled with action and works so smoothy you may not even notice there is not a single cut in it.
If you're open minded, go ahead and broaden your horizons ... in more sense than one.
I was lucky enough to see this in a local theater, and it was an absolutely fantastic movie experience. It's full of action and sad and unexpectedly funny when it needs to be. This movie experiments and goes in surprising directions and it's just a fantastic time. I highly recommend this one.
The lead actor in this is also just absolutely fantastic. He's an action hero throughout, but the actor really digs into the sadness and darker sides of this character. There's a rich interior life to the main character here, and I commend the actor for bringing so much to this film.
This movie is also beautiful stylistically, there's some inventive design and completely stunning shots. This movie is just fantastic all around.
The lead actor in this is also just absolutely fantastic. He's an action hero throughout, but the actor really digs into the sadness and darker sides of this character. There's a rich interior life to the main character here, and I commend the actor for bringing so much to this film.
This movie is also beautiful stylistically, there's some inventive design and completely stunning shots. This movie is just fantastic all around.
Western parallels abound, but this African tale spins around, up and down, starting off as a thrill, then it goes through a mill, becomes a kind of homecoming, next a need to start running, as the locals start spinning, and the demons start swinging, there's a price to paid, to the lost and betrayed.
Several films for the price of one, encased in a multitude of genres, with some spectacularly good effects, exceptional performances, both mysterious and puzzling, brutal and violent, with plenty of opportunity to wonder what on earth is going on, and why. If you're not familiar with West African cinema, I'm not sure this will bring you any closer to it.
Several films for the price of one, encased in a multitude of genres, with some spectacularly good effects, exceptional performances, both mysterious and puzzling, brutal and violent, with plenty of opportunity to wonder what on earth is going on, and why. If you're not familiar with West African cinema, I'm not sure this will bring you any closer to it.
This was an unexpected treat, right from the get-go. This fast paced 84 minutes of genre-bending excellent display of filmmaking by Jean Luc Herbulot succeeds in elevating the story-telling experience in a Tarantino fashion, but within the west African beautiful landscapes and with the most colorful characters you can expect to see on the big screen. All casting and performances were excellent. The cinematography, score and visual effects were captivating. My only issues were some of the dialogue that didn't make sense to me, and some rookie-filmmaker plot and technical issues. I feel this film needed another 10-15 minutes added to the screenplay for better cohesion and clarity between the first and final act. Nevertheless, it's a great film I'll be watching at least one more time. Can't wait to see what this filmmaker gives us next. A well deserved 8/10 from me.
I was intrigued at the start of this film as a group of men escape civil strife while transporting a Mexican drug dealer in a small plane which must make an emergency landing in a field. They bury a load of gold there and continue on to a remote village.
Nothing is as it seems at the village as ghosts from the leaders past return.
It then becomes a confusing mess as the group encounters some strange attacking creatures who look like swarms of bees who can be dispatched with either guns or knives. A new kind of zombie apocalypse, I guess.
The cast is much better than the script and story. The scenery is good but in the end I was not impressed.
Nothing is as it seems at the village as ghosts from the leaders past return.
It then becomes a confusing mess as the group encounters some strange attacking creatures who look like swarms of bees who can be dispatched with either guns or knives. A new kind of zombie apocalypse, I guess.
The cast is much better than the script and story. The scenery is good but in the end I was not impressed.
Did you know
- ConnectionsReferenced in Film Junk Podcast: Episode 816: Malignant + The Shawshank Redemption (2021)
- How long is Saloum?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $5,078
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $2,492
- Sep 4, 2022
- Gross worldwide
- $5,078
- Runtime1 hour 24 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39:1
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