Karmen Geï

Karmen Geï is an adaption the classic opera and novella, Carmen set in Senegal. I’ve seen no other adaptions of Carmen and don’t know much about Senegal. So as I often say when movies fall outside my very narrow parameters of lived experience, I’m probably not qualified to review this. For whatever it’s worth, I thought it was good.

Unsurprisingly, the lead character of Karmen Geï is the seductive Karmen. Karmen has a tendency to get into trouble which sometimes lands her in prison. Luckily, after she dances for the female prison warden Angelique, the warden falls in love with her. Additionally, a member of local law enforcement named Lamine is also in love with Karmen. Karmen’s seductive charisma with these powerful people allows her to operate in a blind spot for them. As the movie goes on, she gets more involved in a smuggling operation I’m not sure of the exact specifics of.

This version of Karmen is so free with her life that even a traditional plot structure can’t hold her. I’m not sure how the events of this movie connect but I was happy to follow Karmen as she did whatever she wanted. Do I understand everything that happened in the movie? No. Did I enjoy myself? Yes. Part of my lack of knowledge is culturally based as well. But the film works without cultural knowledge or even understanding of the plot. Karmen Geï’s main themes are universal; music, sexuality and the power of a beautiful woman.

Lead actress Djeïnaba Diop Gaï is amazing as Karmen. It’s difficult to portray a character who is supposed to be universally seductive but Diop Gaï rises to that challenge. Like a Senegalese Bridgette Bardot, I totally understood why any and all characters trail in her wake absolutely love struck. Her dancing and overall physicality is incredibly enticing and seductive. It’s an absolute shame this film is her only credit because Diop Gaï shows real star power here.

Karmen is free with her affections which means this take on Carmen makes her bisexual. However, the film is mostly straight. Karmen’s less be gay, do crimes and more be seductively bisexual and do crimes. Oh, and fuck cops. Sometimes in a negative connotation, sometimes in a positive connotation. Karmen generally seduces people in positions of power and that’s largely men. Her only female affection is with the prison warden who dies in the second act. However, she later talks to a friend of hers, Old Samba and admits she is in love. And the love she speaks of isn’t for any man but for this now dead prison warden. So at least the film shows she has true affection and love even for a female lover instead of just physical interest or seduction for the purpose of power.

Karmen Geï is the best adaption of Carmen I’ve seen. It’s also the only one I’ve seen. But even if I’d seen others, this one would still probably rank pretty high as it has queer elements and its own identity. This doesn’t seem to be a particularly faithful adaption. But that’s probably a good thing. Director Joseph Gaï Ramaka uses a classic story as a jumping off point to tell a similar but individual story. Karmen Geï is full of life, energy and joy. It’s also one of incredibly few WLW films from the continent of Africa which makes it more remarkable still. It’s a unique little film that’s a real joy to watch.

Overall rating: 6.9/10

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