Tey

Tey, a Senegalese film from 2012, directed by Alain Gomis, is a cinematic exploration of destiny and existence through the eyes of its protagonist Satché, portrayed by the groundbreaking Saul Williams. Meaning 'today' in English, Tey showcases the realist narrative traversing one man's last day on Earth, captivates the audience with brilliant filmmaking techniques, and offers an intimate insight into Senegalese culture.

Profoundly emotive and critically acclaimed, Tey begins with Satché waking up to what is to be his last living day. This dramatic twist is not precipitated by sickness, crime or an accident, but as a revelation made to him by a spiritual seer, a tradition deeply ingrained in indigenous Senegalese culture. Wrestling with the idea of predetermined destiny, the audience walks with Satché through the familiar corners of his hometown Dakar, imbuing every experience with an uncanny sense of finality and preciousness.

Prized poet and musician Saul Williams embodies the role of Satché with a striking authenticity that reverberates throughout the movie. His journey, laden with deep emotions of longing, regret, joy, and acceptance, is framed in a gravity that only Williams' nuanced performance could achieve. His exchanges with the other characters, including his best friend (played by Djolof Mbengue) and his wife (portrayed by Anisia Uzeyman), are exceptionally poignant, each a meditation on life, love, and the complex web of human relationships.

Williams’ unique interpretation of Satché is further enhanced through Gomis' inventive use of narrative style and filmic technique. The movie is tinted with a magic-realistic texture that blends the ordinary with the extraordinary, the everyday with the surreal. This aesthetic approach, along with the thoughtful camera work, gives every scene of Tey its own rhythm and beauty. It introduces the audience to a world where time is dilated, allowing a contemplative exploration of life and death.

Parallel to its philosophical undertones, Tey is also a heartfelt portrayal of Senegalese culture. Through Satché's interactions with his family, friends, and community, the audiences are exposed to the vibrancy and essence of the local life that bustles in Dakar's streets. The language, music, food, and customs of Senegal are intricately woven into the narrative, giving it a rich cultural depth. The film beautifully showcases the paradox of life in an African city and the collective ethos of its people, between tradition and modernity, personal aspirations, and societal expectations.

Alongside the deep cultural immersion, the movie presents a refreshing accommodation perspective on death, viewing it not as an end but as a significant part of existence — a natural full stop in the ongoing sentences of life. Departing from the pathos and tragedy usually associated with mortality, Tey frames death in a unique celebration of life and everything that makes it captivatingly human.

Critically, Tey was widely acclaimed, earning Alain Gomis the esteemed Golden Bear nomination at the Berlin International Film Festival. The film was a fundamental participant at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival too. Simultaneously, Williams' performance was celebrated, illustrating that his artistic prowess goes beyond the realm of music and spoken-word poetry.

In its essence, Tey is a film about genuine human experience, spotlighting a day in the life of Satché, as he's confronted with an abrupt end. It is about love, friends, family, spirituality, and the intrinsic quotidian interactions vital to our existence. The narrative navigates mundane happenings and extraordinary realities with an equal measure of sensitivity and gravitas that sets Tey apart as a cinematic gem.

This film's success lies in its ability to inspire, provoke thought, and at times, comfort its audience with its ethereal and poetic approach to life and impending death. It is a culturally rich, introspective journey that provokes contemplation long after its credits roll, making it a must-watch for cinema enthusiasts in pursuit of thought-provoking artwork.