Djibril Diop Mambéty’s Le Franc is a challenging cinematic experience due to its almost complete lack of dialogue. While some may find its minimalistic approach to storytelling refreshing, others may find that it serves as a barrier for engagement with the characters and narrative of the film.
The 1994 Senegalese short film, that was screened at the Neelsie Cinema on 12 October as a part of the 2023 Toyota SU Woordfees, tells the story of Marigo (Dieye Ma Dieye), a destitute musician living in Dakar who experiences a stroke of unexpected luck after winning the lottery.
In the short film Le Franc, Dieye Ma Dieye takes on the role of Marigo, a struggling musician residing in Dakar, whose life takes an unexpected turn of fortune when he wins the lottery. PHOTO: Supplied/Woordfees
Silence as a Narrative Device
The scarcity of dialogue in Le Franc is an intentional artistic choice that forces the audience to rely heavily on visual storytelling and character expression.
While an intriguing stylistic choice, as it allows for a deeper exploration of the human condition through non-verbal communication, for Le Franc, this technique is a double-edged sword.
The film effectively uses physical comedy and visual gags to showcase, to an extent, the foolish authenticity of its character’s livelihoods. However, the lack of dialogue makes it difficult to develop a strong connection with these characters.
Marigo is particularly affected by this minimalistic approach, as viewers are left somewhat detached from his plight and personal journey. Although the audience often hears Marigo sing throughout the film, his limited interactions with other characters creates a hurdle between him and the film’s audiences.
Visual Storytelling
The simplicity of the film’s cinematography proved to be highly effective in serving the story. Rather than relying on elaborate visuals, the film adopted a straightforward and purposeful approach to storytelling that served it well.
And, despite the limitations imposed by such a lack of dialogue, the acting and physical comedy were remarkably impressive. The cast’s ability to convey emotions and humour through non-verbal cues and physical performances was a testament to their performative skills and made for a highly amusing cinematic experience.
However, Le Franc tends to linger on scenes excessively, and occasionally, the physical comedy alone is insufficient to propel the narrative forward.
While the absence of dialogue in Le Franc might be appreciated by those seeking experimental and minimalist storytelling, for the broader film-watching audience it can be a significant drawback – acting as an impediment rather than an enhancement, particularly in a story that strives to convey complex themes and emotions.
Le Franc will be screened again on 14 October at 15:00 at the Neelsie Cinema