Faat Kine’ by Ousmane Sembene establishes two significant aspects of progression through Kine (women) and modernization (cars). Kine demonstrates the strength and perseverance that Sembene sees in women dealing with a society (post colonial society) of male “superiority.” Sembene also intertwines modernization in this case with SEVERAL shots and locations with/of cars emphasizing modernization, progression, and transportation. The mix of the two are enforced through Kine who demonstrates the strength and will to succeed in society. The progress of women is seen through the ownership and movement in the working industry. In this case, Kine manages a gas station, without the help of any man. Again, Sembene intertwines the two together as strong aspects of cultural progression. She runs a gas station as one key aspect, and two there are cars (intentionally paced) in most of the shots during the movie.
The zooming in and out of Kine’s face as well as cars emphasize the power that they both carry. Transportation being significant is key, and Kine as a woman managing it, tops it off more so as she is a successful independent woman. Sembene focuses on the development, strength, progress and success of women in society through a character such as Kine. Her power throughout the movie is just as significant as the power and usage of transportation. She is in charge and usually has the upper hand as she pays for sexual services, owns a gas station, orders men around. An interesting thing to see through her character is the perseverance and progression she has made because of the fact that she was practically screwed over by men since childhood. As harsh as her setbacks seem/are Kine moves on, demonstrating strength, independence, and WOMAN, especially as a single mother. Just as Kine is significant in displaying Sembene’s view of the strength of women, it is more noticeable with the strength the camera gives her throughout the movie as she is given close ups. The close ups and separation between Kine and males demonstrates the progress of women, and the power that women have attained. The close ups on Kine also demonstrate the level she is on as opposed to those (usually men) around her, she is centered and focused on closely giving her once again the upper hand. The men are not convincing whatsoever (ignorant), as Kine stands above them.
The significance of transportation goes also beyond just cars. It is the impact that women have in mobilization/modernization. Kine runs a gas station, as typical as it sounds there is probably more of an expectation on men rather than women when talking or dealing with transportation (cars, gas station, buses, etc) of any sort. However, Sembene demonstrates otherwise, as the blend of cars and Kine demonstrate women in power alone as just beings, and women in power in the industry.
4 comments:
Hi Ana,
I concur with your comments regarding the ‘zooming in and out [shots] of Kine’s face’. I watched this movie twice and I too had noticed quite a bit of that camera work. In reference to the same film technique being done with cars (and there certainly were a zillion of them), I can clearly see the correlation you draw emphasizing power and strength in both. She manages a gas station . . . and without gas, cars would not run . . . so to a certain extent, she has power in that as well (albeit there are other stations). I smiled in total agreement when I read that the men were not ‘convincing whatsoever’. I found it very brave of the director to address three such large issues head on in this film: the corruption of Africans themselves in the post colonial government of Senegal, the need for and the strength of women, single women being in decision-making roles of power, and finally, that Senegal would likely be in better shape today, if so many of the African males were less ignorant and acted less selfishly / self-seekingly.
Hey Ana,
I also thought that the fact that Sembene used cars and a gas station to symbolize Kine's (and African women's) strength was pretty significant. It is true what you said about the close-up shots of Kine's face, often in scenes where she is standing up for herself with men, gives her added strength visually. I also noticed that Sembene did that with her mother...many close-ups of her mother's face often when Kine is speaking or when she is telling the back story of Kine and Kine's father...perhaps Sembene used this as a way to connect the generations of women and the journey of their powerlessness to power???
Hey Ana,
I also thought that the fact that Sembene used cars and a gas station to symbolize Kine's (and African women's) strength was pretty significant. It is true what you said about the close-up shots of Kine's face, often in scenes where she is standing up for herself with men, gives her added strength visually. I also noticed that Sembene did that with her mother...many close-ups of her mother's face often when Kine is speaking or when she is telling the back story of Kine and Kine's father...perhaps Sembene used this as a way to connect the generations of women and the journey of their powerlessness to power???
It is very interesting that you should raise the point of men dealing with gas stations and cars etc but in this movie a woman is depicted in that role. One other aspect of cars are used as symbols as a progress of time and women as well. What is also shown in this movie is how when one car is being filled up, in the background there are horses passing by. This shows how the traditional and the modern lifestyles can coincide and there is an acceptance of the others' existence.
Her role as the gas station manager is very peculiar. That Sembene chose a gas station, as it is a predominatly male occupation, is almost as to make people raise an eyebrow or understand that the times are changing so we must lose all of our stereotypes. Her "kicking" out the men she does not wish to have in her office, both modern and traditional, shows that she is a woman that knows what she wants from life and if she feels that one is acting wrong then she will let you know no matter what. She does not discriminate, by that I mean between traditional and modern since she let the modern woman learn a lesson.
Her humblness can almost be seen as the scene with the horses, she will always understand the traditional ways of living and not forget them but she welcomes the modern times that are rolling in on her society, just like the cars. People like Kine are needed in society in order to continue, she can be seen as the gas that she sells to the cars, just like the cars need gas to function; society needs Kine to progress.
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